Sims Chapel, AL Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for Sims ChapelWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Sims Chapel?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 89 days in the Washington forecast zone and Washington County — the most common reported hazard around Sims Chapel, mostly in April and June. Next come flash flooding (22 days) and lightning casualties & damage (11 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds89May 2025Jun 5, 1998 · $1.5 million damage
Flash flooding22Feb 2022Jan 2, 2017 · $1.2 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage11Jan 2024Feb 6, 2004 · $50,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms8Jan 2025Dec 21, 2000 · $15,000 damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms7Oct 2020Sep 25, 1998 · $100,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet2Jan 2014—
Excessive heat2Aug 2007—
High winds1Sep 2024—

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 Washington forecast zone and Washington County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Sims Chapel?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMOB (Mobile, AL), about 40 miles south. 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 Sims ChapelView
KMOB
Mobile, AL		40 mi south2,600 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KLIX
New Orleans, LA		118 mi west-southwest12,400 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KDGX
Jackson, MS		130 mi northwest14,400 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 Sims Chapel

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 61 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sims Chapel, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and April. The strongest was an EF3 on April 15, 2011, which passed about 12 miles west of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on March 15, 2025, which passed about 6 miles south-southeast of town.

Hail: 75 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 17, 1998.

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 Sims 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.

Sims Chapel radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Sims Chapel, AL?

KMOB (Mobile, AL), about 40 miles south. KLIX (New Orleans, LA) is 118 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Sims Chapel?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sims Chapel the lowest scan from KMOB is about 2,600 ft up.

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

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