Shorter, AL Live Doppler Radar

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

What weather hits Shorter?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 53 days in the Macon forecast zone and Macon County — the most common reported hazard around Shorter, mostly in June and August. Next come flash flooding (13 days) and excessive heat (7 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds53Jun 2026Mar 6, 1996 · $162,000 damage
Flash flooding13Feb 2024May 7, 2009 · $100,000 damage
Excessive heat7Aug 2023—
Heavy snow & winter storms5Jan 2025Dec 18, 1996 · $35,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill4Jan 2014Mar 7, 1996 · $1.0 million damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms3Oct 2020Aug 29, 2005 · $65,000 damage
Flooding2Feb 2024—
High winds1Sep 2004Sep 16, 2004 · $435,000 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 Macon forecast zone and Macon County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Shorter?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMXX (Maxwell AFB, AL), about 14 miles northeast. 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 ShorterView
KMXX
Maxwell AFB, AL
14 mi northeast700 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KBMX
Birmingham, AL
70 mi northwest5,700 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KEOX
Fort Rucker, AL
72 mi south-southeast5,900 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly

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 Shorter

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 122 tornadoes within 25 miles of Shorter, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an EF4 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 19 miles north-northwest of town and caused 7 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 21, 2025, which passed about 15 miles south of town.

Hail: 163 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on March 27, 2005.

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 Shorter'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.

Shorter radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Shorter, AL?

KMXX (Maxwell AFB, AL), about 14 miles northeast. KBMX (Birmingham, AL) is 70 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Shorter?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Shorter the lowest scan from KMXX is about 700 ft up.

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

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