Zalma, MO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Zalma, Bollinger County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Zalma?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged dangerous heat on 88 days in the Bollinger forecast zone and Bollinger County — the most common reported hazard around Zalma, mostly in July and August. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (75 days) and flash flooding (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive heat | 88 | Aug 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 75 | Apr 2026 | May 8, 2009 · $8.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 40 | May 2024 | Nov 30, 2019 · 3 deaths · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 39 | Jan 2026 | Feb 11, 2008 · $2.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 24 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 24 | Mar 2023 | Mar 18, 2008 · 1 death · $4.8 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Jan 2026 | Jan 5, 2025 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 6 | Sep 2008 | Sep 14, 2008 · $1.0 million damage |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Bollinger forecast zone and Bollinger County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Zalma?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPAH (Paducah, KY), about 72 miles east. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Zalma | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPAH Paducah, KY | 72 mi east | 6,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 112 mi north-northwest | 11,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KNQA Memphis, TN | 125 mi south | 13,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Zalma
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 112 tornadoes within 25 miles of Zalma, 37 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF3 on May 16, 2025, which passed about 21 miles southeast of town and caused 2 deaths.
Hail: 160 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 15 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 30, 2009.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Zalma's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Zalma radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Zalma, MO?
KPAH (Paducah, KY), about 72 miles east. KLSX (St. Louis, MO) is 112 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Zalma?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Zalma the lowest scan from KPAH is about 6,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Zalma free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Zalma, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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