McDonald Chapel, AL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for McDonald Chapel, Jefferson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits McDonald Chapel?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 239 days in the Jefferson forecast zone and Jefferson County — the most common reported hazard around McDonald Chapel, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (125 days) and excessive heat (49 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 239 | Jun 2026 | Jul 21, 2022 · 2 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 125 | Jun 2026 | Mar 16, 2022 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 49 | Jul 2025 | Jun 28, 2012 · 2 deaths |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 23 | Jan 2014 | Dec 31, 2000 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 22 | Jul 2017 | Apr 8, 2010 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 15 | Jan 2025 | Jan 28, 2014 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 14 | Jun 2026 | Mar 7, 1996 · $200,000 damage |
| High winds | 9 | Mar 2022 | Sep 16, 2004 · $10 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 Jefferson forecast zone and Jefferson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does McDonald Chapel get?
A normal year brings about 1.2 inches of snow to McDonald Chapel, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bessemer 3 Wsw weather station 9.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually March (0.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 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 McDonald Chapel?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBMX (Birmingham, AL), about 26 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 McDonald Chapel | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBMX Birmingham, AL | 26 mi south-southeast | 1,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGWX Columbus AFB, MS | 84 mi west-northwest | 7,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMXX Maxwell AFB, AL | 95 mi southeast | 8,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 McDonald Chapel
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 156 tornadoes within 25 miles of McDonald Chapel, 54 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an F5 on April 8, 1998, which passed about 2 miles north-northwest of town and caused 32 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on November 25, 2025, which passed about 10 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 387 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 37 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 2, 2003.
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 McDonald Chapel'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.
McDonald Chapel radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to McDonald Chapel, AL?
KBMX (Birmingham, AL), about 26 miles south-southeast. KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS) is 84 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in McDonald Chapel?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over McDonald Chapel the lowest scan from KBMX is about 1,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for McDonald Chapel 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 McDonald Chapel, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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