Cotton Plant, AR Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cotton Plant, Woodruff County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cotton Plant?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 308 days in the Woodruff forecast zone and Woodruff County — the most common reported hazard around Cotton Plant, mostly in March and May. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (58 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (24 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 308 | Jun 2026 | May 1, 2011 · $8.5 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 58 | Apr 2025 | Jun 12, 2009 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 24 | Feb 2022 | Dec 25, 2012 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Feb 2018 | Jun 29, 2014 · $2.1 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 10 | Sep 2012 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Feb 2014 | Jan 26, 2009 · $10 million damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 3 | Aug 2020 | Sep 13, 2008 · $375,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Jun 2014 | Jun 29, 2014 · $150,000 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 Woodruff forecast zone and Woodruff County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Cotton Plant get?
A normal year brings about 2.7 inches of snow to Cotton Plant, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Brinkley weather station 8.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (1.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 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 Cotton Plant?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLZK (Little Rock, AR), about 58 miles west-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 Cotton Plant | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLZK Little Rock, AR | 58 mi west-southwest | 4,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KNQA Memphis, TN | 81 mi east-northeast | 7,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KSRX Fort Smith, AR | 177 mi west | 23,800 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 Cotton Plant
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 85 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cotton Plant, 30 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and May. The strongest was an F4 on March 21, 1952, which crossed near town and caused 29 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on April 5, 2025, which passed about 24 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 104 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-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 Cotton Plant'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.
Cotton Plant radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cotton Plant, AR?
KLZK (Little Rock, AR), about 58 miles west-southwest. KNQA (Memphis, TN) is 81 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cotton Plant?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cotton Plant the lowest scan from KLZK is about 4,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Cotton Plant 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 Cotton Plant, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Brinkley, AR radar 9 mi
- Des Arc, AR radar 15 mi
- McCrory, AR radar 18 mi
- Augusta, AR radar 20 mi
- Clarendon, AR radar 22 mi
- Hazen, AR radar 23 mi
- Forrest City, AR radar 26 mi
- Bald Knob, AR radar 28 mi
- Kensett, AR radar 29 mi
- Judsonia, AR radar 29 mi