Helena-West Helena, AR Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Helena-West Helena, Phillips County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for Helena-West HelenaWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Helena-West Helena?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged dangerous heat on 137 days in the Phillips forecast zone and Phillips County — the most common reported hazard around Helena-West Helena, mostly in July and August. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (49 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (18 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Excessive heat137Jun 2026—
Damaging thunderstorm winds49Jun 2025May 10, 2008 · $500,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms18Jan 2025Dec 13, 2000 · $100,000 damage
Flash flooding13Jun 2026May 2, 2009 · $500,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill8Feb 2026—
Flooding6Dec 2020May 1, 2011 · $200,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet5Feb 2022Dec 23, 1998 · $1,000 damage
High winds3Jan 2008May 2, 1997 · 1 death · $25,000 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 Phillips forecast zone and Phillips County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Helena-West Helena?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KNQA (Memphis, TN), about 70 miles 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over Helena-West HelenaView
KNQA
Memphis, TN		70 mi northeast5,700 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KLZK
Little Rock, AR		96 mi west-northwest9,000 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KGWX
Columbus AFB, MS		138 mi east-southeast15,900 ftLimited — 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 Helena-West Helena

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 62 tornadoes within 25 miles of Helena-West Helena, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and December. The strongest was an F3 on April 29, 1963, which passed about 8 miles south-southeast of town and caused 5 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on March 31, 2023, which touched down about 9 miles northwest of town.

Hail: 88 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 26, 2011.

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 Helena-West Helena'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.

Helena-West Helena radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Helena-West Helena, AR?

KNQA (Memphis, TN), about 70 miles northeast. KLZK (Little Rock, AR) is 96 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Helena-West Helena?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Helena-West Helena the lowest scan from KNQA is about 5,700 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Helena-West Helena 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 Helena-West Helena, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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