Branch, AR Live Doppler Radar

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

What weather hits Branch?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 172 days in the Central and Southern Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County — the most common reported hazard around Branch, mostly in May and August. Next come flash flooding (59 days) and flooding (11 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds172Apr 2026Jun 17, 2023 · $250,000 damage
Flash flooding59Sep 2025Jul 18, 2021 · $250,000 damage
Flooding11Apr 2025Dec 13, 2015 · $100,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage7Jun 2010Jun 17, 2009 · $50,000 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 Central and Southern Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Branch get?

A normal year brings about 2.7 inches of snow to Branch, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ratcliff weather station 4.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.1 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.00.00.21.10.70.70.00.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Branch?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KSRX (Fort Smith, AR), about 23 miles west. 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 BranchView
KSRX
Fort Smith, AR
23 mi west1,300 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KLZK
Little Rock, AR
101 mi east-southeast9,800 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KINX
Tulsa, OK
108 mi northwest10,900 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 Branch

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 116 tornadoes within 25 miles of Branch, 31 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 19, 1968, which touched down about 19 miles west-southwest of town and caused 14 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 6, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles west-northwest of town.

Hail: 388 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 41 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on March 26, 2000.

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 Branch'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.

Branch radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Branch, AR?

KSRX (Fort Smith, AR), about 23 miles west. KLZK (Little Rock, AR) is 101 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Branch?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Branch the lowest scan from KSRX is about 1,300 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

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

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