Memphis, AL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Memphis, Pickens County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Memphis?
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 Memphis, mostly in April and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (13 days) and flash flooding (10 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 85 | Jun 2026 | Apr 8, 2002 · $300,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 13 | Jan 2025 | Jan 27, 2000 · $20,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 10 | Jan 2015 | Jan 6, 2009 · 2 deaths · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 9 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 5 | Sep 2011 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Jan 2014 | Mar 7, 1996 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 3 | Sep 2004 | Sep 16, 2004 · $600,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Jan 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 Memphis?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS), about 53 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Memphis | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGWX Columbus AFB, MS | 53 mi north | 3,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KBMX Birmingham, AL | 89 mi east | 8,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDGX Jackson, MS | 114 mi west-southwest | 11,800 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 Memphis
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 113 tornadoes within 25 miles of Memphis, 43 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an F5 on March 3, 1966, which passed about 7 miles south-southeast of town and caused 58 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on March 15, 2025, which passed about 17 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 107 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.88-inch hail on June 14, 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 Memphis'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.
Memphis radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Memphis, AL?
KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS), about 53 miles north. KBMX (Birmingham, AL) is 89 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Memphis?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Memphis the lowest scan from KGWX is about 3,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Memphis 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 Memphis, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Aliceville, AL radar 9 mi
- Reform, AL radar 24 mi
- Gordo, AL radar 27 mi
- Eutaw, AL radar 31 mi
- Livingston, AL radar 38 mi
- Moundville, AL radar 40 mi
- Northport, AL radar 42 mi
- York, AL radar 44 mi
- Vernon, AL radar 44 mi
- Tuscaloosa, AL radar 45 mi