Red Bay, AL Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Red Bay, Franklin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for Red BayWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Red Bay?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 139 days in the Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County — the most common reported hazard around Red Bay, mostly in June and July. Next come excessive heat (63 days) and flash flooding (28 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds139Apr 2026May 25, 2011 · $210,000 damage
Excessive heat63Aug 2025Jun 14, 2010 · 1 death
Flash flooding28Sep 2025Jan 7, 1998 · $30,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms20Jan 2025Feb 16, 1996 · $15,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill18Feb 2026Mar 7, 1996 · $1.0 million damage
High winds7Mar 2023Jan 18, 1996 · $20,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage6Jun 2025Apr 20, 2011 · $25,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet5Jan 2024Dec 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 Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Red Bay?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS), about 39 miles south-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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over Red BayView
KGWX
Columbus AFB, MS		39 mi south-southwest2,500 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KNQA
Memphis, TN		117 mi west-northwest12,200 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KBMX
Birmingham, AL		117 mi southeast12,300 ftLimited — 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 Red Bay

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 95 tornadoes within 25 miles of Red Bay, 31 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an EF5 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 19 miles south-southeast of town and caused 72 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 5, 2025, which passed about 11 miles northwest of town.

Hail: 230 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 20 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 Red Bay'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.

Red Bay radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Red Bay, AL?

KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS), about 39 miles south-southwest. KNQA (Memphis, TN) is 117 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Red Bay?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Red Bay the lowest scan from KGWX is about 2,500 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Red Bay 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 Red Bay, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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