Colony, AL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Colony, Cullman County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Colony?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 206 days in the Cullman forecast zone and Cullman County — the most common reported hazard around Colony, mostly in June and August. Next come flash flooding (48 days) and excessive heat (45 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 206 | May 2026 | Jul 14, 2015 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 48 | May 2026 | Apr 3, 2000 · $80,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 45 | Aug 2025 | Jul 7, 2025 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 18 | Jan 2025 | Feb 1, 1996 · $35,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 18 | Feb 2026 | Mar 7, 1996 · $1.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Jun 2025 | Aug 2, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 12 | Feb 2026 | Jan 6, 2009 · $300,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Jan 2024 | Dec 23, 1998 · $2.0 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 Cullman forecast zone and Cullman County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Colony get?
A normal year brings about 1.1 inches of snow to Colony, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Hanceville weather station 10.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually March (0.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 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 Colony?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBMX (Birmingham, AL), about 54 miles south. 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 Colony | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBMX Birmingham, AL | 54 mi south | 3,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGWX Columbus AFB, MS | 82 mi west | 7,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KHTX Huntsville, AL | 83 mi northeast | 7,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Colony
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 192 tornadoes within 25 miles of Colony, 75 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an EF4 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 23 miles south-southeast of town and caused 64 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on November 25, 2025, which passed about 17 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 340 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 35 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 Colony'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.
Colony radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Colony, AL?
KBMX (Birmingham, AL), about 54 miles south. KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS) is 82 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Colony?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Colony the lowest scan from KBMX is about 3,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Colony 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 Colony, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hayden, AL radar 10 mi
- Warrior, AL radar 10 mi
- Hanceville, AL radar 12 mi
- Good Hope, AL radar 12 mi
- Kimberly, AL radar 13 mi
- Morris, AL radar 15 mi
- Locust Fork, AL radar 15 mi
- Sumiton, AL radar 16 mi
- Cullman, AL radar 17 mi
- Dora, AL radar 18 mi