Hamilton, AL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hamilton, Marion County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hamilton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 142 days in the Marion forecast zone and Marion County — the most common reported hazard around Hamilton, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (24 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 142 | Jun 2026 | Feb 21, 2001 · $250,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 24 | Jul 2024 | Dec 8, 2009 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 20 | Jan 2025 | Feb 16, 1996 · $15,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 5 | Jul 2016 | Jun 26, 2002 · 3 deaths · $40,000 damage |
| High winds | 4 | Sep 2004 | Sep 16, 2004 · $920,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Jan 2014 | Mar 7, 1996 · $1.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Mar 2015 | Dec 23, 1998 · $800,000 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 Marion forecast zone and Marion County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Hamilton get?
A normal year brings about 1.3 inches of snow to Hamilton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Hamilton 3 S weather station 3.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 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 Hamilton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS), about 26 miles 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 Hamilton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGWX Columbus AFB, MS | 26 mi southwest | 1,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KBMX Birmingham, AL | 96 mi southeast | 9,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KHTX Huntsville, AL | 121 mi east-northeast | 12,800 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 Hamilton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 103 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hamilton, 30 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an EF5 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 3 miles north-northwest of town and caused 72 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on March 23, 2025, which touched down about 25 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 210 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 27, 1996.
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 Hamilton'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.
Hamilton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hamilton, AL?
KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS), about 26 miles southwest. KBMX (Birmingham, AL) is 96 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hamilton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hamilton the lowest scan from KGWX is about 1,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Hamilton 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 Hamilton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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