Bristow Cove, AL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bristow Cove, Etowah County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bristow Cove?
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 Bristow Cove, 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 Bristow Cove get?
A normal year brings about 1.7 inches of snow to Bristow Cove, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Walnut Grove weather station 4.8 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 Bristow Cove?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHTX (Huntsville, AL), about 57 miles north. 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 Bristow Cove | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHTX Huntsville, AL | 57 mi north | 4,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KBMX Birmingham, AL | 72 mi south-southwest | 5,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KFFC Atlanta, GA | 109 mi east-southeast | 11,000 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 Bristow Cove
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 161 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bristow Cove, 71 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an EF5 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 25 miles northeast of town and caused 25 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 20, 2025, which passed about 19 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 313 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 34 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 9, 2024.
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 Bristow Cove'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.
Bristow Cove radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bristow Cove, AL?
KHTX (Huntsville, AL), about 57 miles north. KBMX (Birmingham, AL) is 72 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bristow Cove?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bristow Cove the lowest scan from KHTX is about 4,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bristow Cove 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 Bristow Cove, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Boaz, AL radar 8 mi
- Sardis City, AL radar 8 mi
- Snead, AL radar 9 mi
- Albertville, AL radar 11 mi
- Attalla, AL radar 11 mi
- Steele, AL radar 12 mi
- Gadsden, AL radar 15 mi
- Rainbow City, AL radar 15 mi
- Guntersville, AL radar 18 mi
- Oneonta, AL radar 18 mi