Sumiton, AL Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for SumitonWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Sumiton?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 163 days in the Walker forecast zone and Walker County — the most common reported hazard around Sumiton, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (30 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (12 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds163Jun 2026Oct 13, 2014 · 1 death
Flash flooding30Jun 2026May 7, 2003 · $300,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms12Jan 2025Jan 28, 2000 · $15,000 damage
Excessive heat7Jul 2025—
Extreme cold & wind chill6Jan 2026Jan 20, 2026 · 1 death
Lightning casualties & damage6Aug 2023Aug 9, 2013 · $775,000 damage
High winds3Sep 2004Sep 16, 2004 · $225,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet3Mar 2015Dec 23, 1998 · $500,000 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 Walker forecast zone and Walker County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Sumiton?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBMX (Birmingham, AL), about 43 miles south-southeast. 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 SumitonView
KBMX
Birmingham, AL		43 mi south-southeast2,900 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KGWX
Columbus AFB, MS		74 mi west6,200 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KHTX
Huntsville, AL		98 mi north-northeast9,400 ftFair — 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 Sumiton

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 167 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sumiton, 62 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F5 on April 8, 1998, which passed about 15 miles south-southeast of town and caused 32 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on November 25, 2025, which passed about 7 miles south-southeast of town.

Hail: 336 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 31 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on April 21, 2006.

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 Sumiton'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.

Sumiton radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Sumiton, AL?

KBMX (Birmingham, AL), about 43 miles south-southeast. KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS) is 74 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Sumiton?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sumiton the lowest scan from KBMX is about 2,900 ft up.

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

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