Cotter, AR Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cotter, Baxter County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cotter?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 124 days in the Baxter forecast zone and Baxter County — the most common reported hazard around Cotter, mostly in July and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (45 days) and flash flooding (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 124 | Jun 2025 | Jun 23, 2017 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 45 | Jan 2026 | Dec 5, 2013 · $3.5 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 28 | May 2022 | Mar 18, 2008 · $1.5 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Aug 2012 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | May 2010 | Jul 3, 2008 · $50,000 damage |
| Flooding | 6 | May 2011 | Mar 18, 2008 · $4.0 million damage |
| Wildfires | 5 | Feb 2014 | Aug 24, 2010 · $60,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2013 | Jan 1, 1999 · 1 death |
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 Baxter forecast zone and Baxter County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Cotter get?
A normal year brings about 7.8 inches of snow to Cotter, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mtn Home 1 Nnw weather station 8.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (2.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 2.6 | 2.0 | 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 Cotter?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KSGF (Springfield, MO), about 82 miles northwest. 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 Cotter | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KSGF Springfield, MO | 82 mi northwest | 7,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLZK Little Rock, AR | 101 mi south | 9,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KSRX Fort Smith, AR | 124 mi west-southwest | 13,400 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 Cotter
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 76 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cotter, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an EF3 on May 26, 2024, which passed about 9 miles west of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF3 on March 14, 2025, which passed about 20 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 279 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 26 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on April 2, 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 Cotter'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.
Cotter radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cotter, AR?
KSGF (Springfield, MO), about 82 miles northwest. KLZK (Little Rock, AR) is 101 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cotter?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cotter the lowest scan from KSGF is about 7,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Cotter 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 Cotter, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Flippin, AR radar 4 mi
- Bull Shoals, AR radar 7 mi
- Mountain Home, AR radar 8 mi
- Yellville, AR radar 10 mi
- Calico Rock, AR radar 25 mi
- Marshall, AR radar 27 mi
- Harrison, AR radar 33 mi
- Mountain View, AR radar 37 mi
- Melbourne, AR radar 39 mi