Kennedy, AL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kennedy, Lamar County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kennedy?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 139 days in the Lamar forecast zone and Lamar County — the most common reported hazard around Kennedy, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (50 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (18 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 139 | Jun 2026 | Feb 16, 2001 · $300,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 50 | Jun 2025 | Dec 8, 2009 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 18 | Jan 2025 | Feb 16, 1996 · $15,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 9 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Mar 2022 | Sep 6, 2001 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 5 | Mar 2024 | — |
| High winds | 4 | Sep 2004 | Sep 16, 2004 · $325,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Jan 2014 | Mar 7, 1996 · $1.0 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 Lamar forecast zone and Lamar County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Kennedy?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS), about 29 miles northwest. 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 Kennedy | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGWX Columbus AFB, MS | 29 mi northwest | 1,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KBMX Birmingham, AL | 76 mi east-southeast | 6,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KHTX Huntsville, AL | 143 mi northeast | 16,800 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 Kennedy
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 150 tornadoes within 25 miles of Kennedy, 43 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and April. The strongest was an F5 on April 3, 1974, which passed about 19 miles north-northwest of town and caused 28 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on March 31, 2025, which passed about 17 miles west of town.
Hail: 185 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-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 Kennedy'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.
Kennedy radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kennedy, AL?
KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS), about 29 miles northwest. KBMX (Birmingham, AL) is 76 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Kennedy?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kennedy the lowest scan from KGWX is about 1,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Kennedy 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 Kennedy, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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