Desha, AR Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Desha, Independence County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Desha?
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 Desha, 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 Desha get?
A normal year brings about 2.2 inches of snow to Desha, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Batesville L&D 1 weather station 3.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (0.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 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 Desha?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLZK (Little Rock, AR), about 70 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 Desha | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLZK Little Rock, AR | 70 mi south-southwest | 5,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KNQA Memphis, TN | 105 mi east-southeast | 10,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KSGF Springfield, MO | 141 mi northwest | 16,400 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 Desha
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 91 tornadoes within 25 miles of Desha, 37 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and May. The strongest was an EF4 on February 5, 2008, which passed about 20 miles northwest of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was an EF3 on March 14, 2025, which passed about 9 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 214 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 18 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 Desha'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.
Desha radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Desha, AR?
KLZK (Little Rock, AR), about 70 miles south-southwest. KNQA (Memphis, TN) is 105 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Desha?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Desha the lowest scan from KLZK is about 5,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Desha 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 Desha, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Southside, AR radar 3 mi
- Batesville, AR radar 4 mi
- Newark, AR radar 14 mi
- Cave City, AR radar 17 mi
- Diaz, AR radar 25 mi
- Heber Springs, AR radar 25 mi
- Mountain View, AR radar 25 mi
- Melbourne, AR radar 26 mi
- Newport, AR radar 27 mi
- Tuckerman, AR radar 27 mi