Dunnavant, AL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dunnavant, Shelby County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dunnavant?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 167 days in the Shelby forecast zone and Shelby County — the most common reported hazard around Dunnavant, mostly in June and August. Next come flash flooding (56 days) and lightning casualties & damage (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 167 | Jun 2026 | Mar 19, 1998 · $380,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 56 | Jun 2026 | Oct 6, 2021 · 2 deaths |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 12 | Aug 2024 | Jun 25, 2018 · $300,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 11 | Jan 2025 | Jan 28, 2000 · $15,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 10 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 6 | Jul 2017 | Mar 10, 2010 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Feb 2017 | Mar 7, 1996 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 5 | Apr 2020 | Sep 16, 2004 · $1.2 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 Shelby forecast zone and Shelby County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Dunnavant?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBMX (Birmingham, AL), about 26 miles south-southwest. 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 Dunnavant | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBMX Birmingham, AL | 26 mi south-southwest | 1,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMXX Maxwell AFB, AL | 79 mi south-southeast | 6,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KHTX Huntsville, AL | 103 mi north-northeast | 10,000 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 Dunnavant
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 149 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dunnavant, 51 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F5 on April 8, 1998, which passed about 20 miles west-northwest of town and caused 32 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on November 25, 2025, which passed about 22 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 342 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 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 Dunnavant'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.
Dunnavant radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dunnavant, AL?
KBMX (Birmingham, AL), about 26 miles south-southwest. KMXX (Maxwell AFB, AL) is 79 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dunnavant?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dunnavant the lowest scan from KBMX is about 1,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Dunnavant 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 Dunnavant, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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