Bethesda, AR Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bethesda, Independence County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bethesda?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 108 days in the Independence forecast zone and Independence County — the most common reported hazard around Bethesda, mostly in July and August. Next come flash flooding (44 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 108 | Jun 2026 | Sep 7, 2012 · $2.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 44 | Jun 2026 | Oct 29, 2009 · 1 death · $15,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 32 | Jan 2026 | Dec 25, 2012 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 31 | Apr 2025 | Mar 18, 2008 · $21 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 9 | Aug 2012 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Feb 2018 | Jan 26, 2009 · $50 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Jul 2012 | Jul 8, 2012 · $250,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 3 | Jul 2012 | — |
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 Independence forecast zone and Independence County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bethesda get?
A normal year brings about 4.4 inches of snow to Bethesda, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Batesville Lvstk weather station 3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 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 Bethesda?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLZK (Little Rock, AR), about 71 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Bethesda | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLZK Little Rock, AR | 71 mi south-southwest | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KNQA Memphis, TN | 112 mi east-southeast | 11,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KSGF Springfield, MO | 134 mi northwest | 15,200 ft | Limited — 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 Bethesda
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 82 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bethesda, 40 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and May. The strongest was an EF4 on February 5, 2008, which passed about 13 miles northwest of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was an EF4 on March 14, 2025, which passed about 21 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 212 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on January 21, 1999.
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 Bethesda'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.
Bethesda radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bethesda, AR?
KLZK (Little Rock, AR), about 71 miles south-southwest. KNQA (Memphis, TN) is 112 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bethesda?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bethesda the lowest scan from KLZK is about 5,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bethesda 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 Bethesda, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Batesville, AR radar 10 mi
- Southside, AR radar 10 mi
- Cave City, AR radar 18 mi
- Mountain View, AR radar 18 mi
- Melbourne, AR radar 20 mi
- Newark, AR radar 20 mi
- Heber Springs, AR radar 24 mi
- Fairfield Bay, AR radar 30 mi
- Calico Rock, AR radar 30 mi
- Horseshoe Bend, AR radar 30 mi