Reader, AR Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for ReaderWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Reader?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 101 days in the Ouachita forecast zone and Ouachita County — the most common reported hazard around Reader, mostly in May and June. Next come flooding (98 days) and flash flooding (31 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds101Apr 2026Apr 3, 2014 · $2.5 million damage
Flooding98Jun 2025Oct 7, 2008 · 1 death · $20,000 damage
Flash flooding31Apr 2025Oct 29, 2009 · $500,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms14Jan 2026Mar 4, 2015 · $10,000 damage
Excessive heat10Sep 2012—
Ice storms & sleet5Feb 2023—
Hurricanes & tropical storms3Aug 2020Sep 13, 2008 · $750,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage3Apr 2002—

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 Ouachita forecast zone and Ouachita County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Reader?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLZK (Little Rock, AR), about 89 miles north-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 ReaderView
KLZK
Little Rock, AR		89 mi north-northeast8,100 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KSHV
Shreveport, LA		100 mi south-southwest9,500 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KSRX
Fort Smith, AR		128 mi north-northwest14,100 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 Reader

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 68 tornadoes within 25 miles of Reader, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on March 1, 1997, which passed about 17 miles northwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 4, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles west-southwest of town.

Hail: 197 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 18, 2001.

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 Reader'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.

Reader radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Reader, AR?

KLZK (Little Rock, AR), about 89 miles north-northeast. KSHV (Shreveport, LA) is 100 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Reader?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Reader the lowest scan from KLZK is about 8,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.

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

Radar for nearby towns

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