Chidester, AR Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Chidester, Ouachita County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Chidester?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 101 days in the Ouachita forecast zone and Ouachita County — the most common reported hazard around Chidester, mostly in May and June. Next come flooding (98 days) and flash flooding (31 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 101 | Apr 2026 | Apr 3, 2014 · $2.5 million damage |
| Flooding | 98 | Jun 2025 | Oct 7, 2008 · 1 death · $20,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 31 | Apr 2025 | Oct 29, 2009 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 14 | Jan 2026 | Mar 4, 2015 · $10,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 10 | Sep 2012 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Feb 2023 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 3 | Aug 2020 | Sep 13, 2008 · $750,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Apr 2002 | — |
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 Ouachita forecast zone and Ouachita County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Chidester get?
A normal year brings about 1.5 inches of snow to Chidester, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Camden 1 weather station 13.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 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 Chidester?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLZK (Little Rock, AR), about 90 miles north-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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Chidester | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLZK Little Rock, AR | 90 mi north-northeast | 8,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KSHV Shreveport, LA | 99 mi south-southwest | 9,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KSRX Fort Smith, AR | 134 mi northwest | 15,100 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 Chidester
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 60 tornadoes within 25 miles of Chidester, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on March 1, 1997, which passed about 22 miles northwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on March 14, 2025, which passed about 4 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 190 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 6, 2001.
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 Chidester'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.
Chidester radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Chidester, AR?
KLZK (Little Rock, AR), about 90 miles north-northeast. KSHV (Shreveport, LA) is 99 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Chidester?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Chidester the lowest scan from KLZK is about 8,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Chidester 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 Chidester, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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