Decatur, AL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Decatur, Morgan County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Decatur?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 229 days in the Morgan forecast zone and Morgan County — the most common reported hazard around Decatur, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (59 days) and excessive heat (54 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 229 | May 2026 | Apr 19, 2009 · 1 death · $41,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 59 | May 2025 | Dec 8, 2009 · $500,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 54 | Aug 2025 | May 2, 2012 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 23 | Jan 2025 | Feb 1, 1996 · $75,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 22 | Feb 2026 | Mar 7, 1996 · $1.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 22 | Sep 2020 | May 13, 2009 · $2.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 21 | May 2025 | Dec 9, 2009 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 10 | Mar 2023 | Jan 18, 1996 · $20,000 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 Morgan forecast zone and Morgan County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Decatur get?
A normal year brings about 1.1 inches of snow to Decatur, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Belle Mina 2 N weather station 10.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (0.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 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 Decatur?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHTX (Huntsville, AL), about 57 miles east-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 Decatur | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHTX Huntsville, AL | 57 mi east-northeast | 4,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGWX Columbus AFB, MS | 90 mi west-southwest | 8,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KBMX Birmingham, AL | 98 mi south | 9,300 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 Decatur
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 184 tornadoes within 25 miles of Decatur, 50 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF5 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 6 miles north-northwest of town and caused 72 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 27, 2025, which touched down about 19 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 451 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 50 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on April 10, 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 Decatur'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.
Decatur radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Decatur, AL?
KHTX (Huntsville, AL), about 57 miles east-northeast. KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS) is 90 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Decatur?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Decatur the lowest scan from KHTX is about 4,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Decatur 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 Decatur, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Trinity, AL radar 5 mi
- Priceville, AL radar 7 mi
- Hartselle, AL radar 10 mi
- Triana, AL radar 14 mi
- Falkville, AL radar 14 mi
- Athens, AL radar 14 mi
- Madison, AL radar 16 mi
- Moulton, AL radar 18 mi
- Huntsville, AL radar 20 mi
- Rogersville, AL radar 24 mi