Altoona, AL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Altoona, Etowah County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Altoona?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 145 days in the Etowah forecast zone and Etowah County — the most common reported hazard around Altoona, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (23 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (17 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 145 | Jun 2026 | Apr 24, 2010 · 1 death · $2,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 23 | Jun 2026 | Nov 24, 2004 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 17 | Jan 2025 | Jan 28, 2000 · $15,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 13 | Oct 2010 | Jul 27, 2005 · $110,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 7 | Mar 2024 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Jan 2014 | Mar 7, 1996 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 4 | Apr 2020 | Sep 16, 2004 · $180,000 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 Etowah forecast zone and Etowah County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Altoona get?
A normal year brings about 1.7 inches of snow to Altoona, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Walnut Grove weather station 1.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually March (1.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Altoona?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHTX (Huntsville, AL), about 63 miles north-northeast. 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 Altoona | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHTX Huntsville, AL | 63 mi north-northeast | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KBMX Birmingham, AL | 66 mi south-southwest | 5,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMXX Maxwell AFB, AL | 108 mi south-southeast | 10,800 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 Altoona
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 170 tornadoes within 25 miles of Altoona, 78 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an F4 on March 27, 1994, which passed about 24 miles south-southeast of town and caused 22 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 20, 2025, which passed about 25 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 289 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.38-inch hail on March 19, 2018.
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 Altoona'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.
Altoona radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Altoona, AL?
KHTX (Huntsville, AL), about 63 miles north-northeast. KBMX (Birmingham, AL) is 66 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Altoona?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Altoona the lowest scan from KHTX is about 4,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Altoona 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 Altoona, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Snead, AL radar 7 mi
- Steele, AL radar 9 mi
- Attalla, AL radar 11 mi
- Oneonta, AL radar 12 mi
- Boaz, AL radar 14 mi
- Sardis City, AL radar 14 mi
- Ashville, AL radar 14 mi
- Rainbow City, AL radar 15 mi
- Cleveland, AL radar 15 mi
- Blountsville, AL radar 16 mi