Fruitdale, AL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fruitdale, Washington County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fruitdale?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 89 days in the Washington forecast zone and Washington County — the most common reported hazard around Fruitdale, mostly in April and June. Next come flash flooding (22 days) and lightning casualties & damage (11 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 89 | May 2025 | Jun 5, 1998 · $1.5 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 22 | Feb 2022 | Jan 2, 2017 · $1.2 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 11 | Jan 2024 | Feb 6, 2004 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 8 | Jan 2025 | Dec 21, 2000 · $15,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 7 | Oct 2020 | Sep 25, 1998 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Jan 2014 | — |
| Excessive heat | 2 | Aug 2007 | — |
| High winds | 1 | Sep 2024 | — |
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 Washington forecast zone and Washington County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Fruitdale?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMOB (Mobile, AL), about 47 miles south-southeast. 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 Fruitdale | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMOB Mobile, AL | 47 mi south-southeast | 3,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLIX New Orleans, LA | 109 mi southwest | 11,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDGX Jackson, MS | 113 mi northwest | 11,500 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 Fruitdale
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 69 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fruitdale, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and February. The strongest was an EF3 on April 15, 2011, which passed about 10 miles south-southeast of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on March 15, 2025, which passed about 21 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 90 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on April 19, 1965.
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 Fruitdale'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.
Fruitdale radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fruitdale, AL?
KMOB (Mobile, AL), about 47 miles south-southeast. KLIX (New Orleans, LA) is 109 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fruitdale?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fruitdale the lowest scan from KMOB is about 3,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Fruitdale 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 Fruitdale, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Citronelle, AL radar 20 mi
- Mount Vernon, AL radar 30 mi
- Jackson, AL radar 33 mi
- Saraland, AL radar 39 mi
- Semmes, AL radar 39 mi
- Satsuma, AL radar 40 mi
- Creola, AL radar 41 mi
- Prichard, AL radar 43 mi
- Chickasaw, AL radar 45 mi