Emerson, AR Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Emerson, Columbia County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Emerson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 94 days in the Columbia forecast zone and Columbia County — the most common reported hazard around Emerson, mostly in May and April. Next come excessive heat (76 days) and flash flooding (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 94 | Jun 2026 | Aug 21, 2000 · 1 death · $30,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 76 | Aug 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 32 | Jun 2026 | Oct 11, 2001 · $120 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 11 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Jan 2026 | Jan 7, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | May 2019 | Jul 19, 2007 · $80,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 2000 | Dec 12, 2000 · $40 million damage |
| Wildfires | 3 | Oct 2011 | Oct 16, 2011 · $100,000 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 Columbia forecast zone and Columbia County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Emerson get?
A normal year brings about 1.7 inches of snow to Emerson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Magnolia weather station 11.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 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 Emerson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KSHV (Shreveport, LA), about 58 miles 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 Emerson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KSHV Shreveport, LA | 58 mi southwest | 4,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLZK Little Rock, AR | 132 mi north-northeast | 14,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KPOE Fort Polk, LA | 135 mi south | 15,300 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 Emerson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 94 tornadoes within 25 miles of Emerson, 26 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on February 12, 1950, which passed about 9 miles southwest of town and caused 18 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 2, 2025, which touched down about 20 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 265 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 9.00-inch hail on March 28, 1972.
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 Emerson'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.
Emerson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Emerson, AR?
KSHV (Shreveport, LA), about 58 miles southwest. KLZK (Little Rock, AR) is 132 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Emerson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Emerson the lowest scan from KSHV is about 4,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Emerson 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 Emerson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Magnolia, AR radar 13 mi
- Waldo, AR radar 19 mi
- Stamps, AR radar 25 mi
- El Dorado, AR radar 32 mi
- Smackover, AR radar 33 mi
- Camden, AR radar 38 mi
- Hope, AR radar 46 mi
- Prescott, AR radar 50 mi
- Texarkana, AR radar 51 mi
- Hampton, AR radar 52 mi