Cottonwood, AL Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Cottonwood, Houston County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for CottonwoodWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Cottonwood?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 197 days in the Houston forecast zone and Houston County — the most common reported hazard around Cottonwood, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (25 days) and hurricanes & tropical storms (11 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds197Jun 2026Jan 2, 2017 · 4 deaths · $100,000 damage
Flash flooding25Sep 2024Mar 28, 2009 · $500,000 damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms11Sep 2024Oct 10, 2018 · $2.9 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage10Jul 2022Jul 26, 2017 · 1 death
Flooding7Feb 2018Mar 8, 1998 · $85 million damage
Excessive heat7Aug 2023—
Heavy snow & winter storms4Jan 2026Jan 28, 2014 · $200,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill3Feb 2026Dec 24, 2022 · $50,000 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 Houston forecast zone and Houston County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Cottonwood?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEOX (Fort Rucker, AL), about 30 miles north-northwest. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over CottonwoodView
KEOX
Fort Rucker, AL		30 mi north-northwest1,800 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KEVX
Eglin AFB, FL		50 mi southwest3,600 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KTLH
Tallahassee, FL		73 mi southeast6,100 ftFair — 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 Cottonwood

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 152 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cottonwood, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and April. The strongest was an EF3 on March 31, 2022, which passed about 21 miles south of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on May 10, 2025, which passed about 18 miles west of town.

Hail: 89 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on January 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 Cottonwood'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.

Cottonwood radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Cottonwood, AL?

KEOX (Fort Rucker, AL), about 30 miles north-northwest. KEVX (Eglin AFB, FL) is 50 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Cottonwood?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Cottonwood the lowest scan from KEOX is about 1,800 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

Is TALON's radar for Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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