Ethelsville, AL Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for EthelsvilleWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Ethelsville?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 85 days in the Pickens forecast zone and Pickens County — the most common reported hazard around Ethelsville, mostly in April and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (13 days) and flash flooding (10 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds85Jun 2026Apr 8, 2002 · $300,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms13Jan 2025Jan 27, 2000 · $20,000 damage
Flash flooding10Jan 2015Jan 6, 2009 · 2 deaths · $50,000 damage
Excessive heat9Jul 2025—
Flooding5Sep 2011—
Extreme cold & wind chill4Jan 2014Mar 7, 1996 · $1.0 million damage
High winds3Sep 2004Sep 16, 2004 · $600,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet2Jan 2011—

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 Pickens forecast zone and Pickens County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Ethelsville?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS), about 34 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over EthelsvilleView
KGWX
Columbus AFB, MS		34 mi north2,100 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KBMX
Birmingham, AL		85 mi east7,600 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KDGX
Jackson, MS		129 mi southwest14,300 ftLimited — 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 Ethelsville

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 150 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ethelsville, 54 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an F5 on March 3, 1966, which passed about 22 miles south-southeast of town and caused 58 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on March 31, 2025, which touched down about 18 miles northwest of town.

Hail: 206 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 22 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.60-inch hail on June 16, 2023.

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 Ethelsville'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.

Ethelsville radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Ethelsville, AL?

KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS), about 34 miles north. KBMX (Birmingham, AL) is 85 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Ethelsville?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ethelsville the lowest scan from KGWX is about 2,100 ft up.

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

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