Oark, AR Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for OarkWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Oark?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 122 days in the Johnson County Higher Elevations forecast zone and Johnson County — the most common reported hazard around Oark, mostly in May and June. Next come flash flooding (44 days) and lightning casualties & damage (5 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds122Jun 2026Jun 12, 2009 · $500,000 damage
Flash flooding44Sep 2025Apr 5, 1997 · 1 death
Lightning casualties & damage5Oct 2007Oct 1, 2007 · $125,000 damage
Flooding3May 2011May 1, 2011 · $500,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms2Jan 2026—

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 Johnson County Higher Elevations forecast zone and Johnson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Oark get?

A normal year brings about 2.7 inches of snow to Oark, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ozone weather station 8.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (0.9 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.00.00.40.60.90.70.10.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Oark?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KSRX (Fort Smith, AR), about 52 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over OarkView
KSRX
Fort Smith, AR		52 mi west-southwest3,800 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KLZK
Little Rock, AR		95 mi southeast8,900 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KSGF
Springfield, MO		107 mi north10,600 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 Oark

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 71 tornadoes within 25 miles of Oark, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and November. The strongest was an EF4 on May 24, 2011, which passed about 9 miles southeast of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on November 4, 2024, which touched down about 8 miles east-northeast of town.

Hail: 234 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 24 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 21, 1996.

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 Oark'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.

Oark radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Oark, AR?

KSRX (Fort Smith, AR), about 52 miles west-southwest. KLZK (Little Rock, AR) is 95 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Oark?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Oark the lowest scan from KSRX is about 3,800 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.

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

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