Sand Rock, AL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sand Rock, Cherokee County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sand Rock?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 126 days in the Cherokee forecast zone and Cherokee County — the most common reported hazard around Sand Rock, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (22 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (16 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 126 | Mar 2026 | Jan 5, 2007 · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 22 | Aug 2025 | May 7, 2003 · $150,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 16 | Jan 2025 | Feb 1, 1996 · $15,000 damage |
| Flooding | 9 | Mar 2024 | — |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 5 | Oct 2020 | Aug 29, 2005 · $80,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Jan 2014 | Mar 7, 1996 · $1.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2005 | Jan 22, 2000 · $200,000 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 Cherokee forecast zone and Cherokee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sand Rock get?
A normal year brings about 1.2 inches of snow to Sand Rock, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sand Mt Substn weather station 11.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually March (0.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 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 Sand Rock?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHTX (Huntsville, AL), about 52 miles north-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 Sand Rock | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHTX Huntsville, AL | 52 mi north-northwest | 3,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KFFC Atlanta, GA | 92 mi southeast | 8,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KBMX Birmingham, AL | 93 mi southwest | 8,600 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 Sand Rock
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 117 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sand Rock, 55 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an EF5 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 16 miles northwest of town and caused 25 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 20, 2025, which passed about 8 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 281 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 23 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 Sand Rock'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.
Sand Rock radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sand Rock, AL?
KHTX (Huntsville, AL), about 52 miles north-northwest. KFFC (Atlanta, GA) is 92 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sand Rock?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sand Rock the lowest scan from KHTX is about 3,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sand Rock 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 Sand Rock, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Fort Payne, AL radar 16 mi
- Hokes Bluff, AL radar 18 mi
- Rainsville, AL radar 19 mi
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