Stephens, AR Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Stephens, Ouachita County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Stephens?
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 Stephens, mostly in May and June. Next come flooding (98 days) and flash flooding (31 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 101 | Apr 2026 | Apr 3, 2014 · $2.5 million damage |
| Flooding | 98 | Jun 2025 | Oct 7, 2008 · 1 death · $20,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 31 | Apr 2025 | Oct 29, 2009 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 14 | Jan 2026 | Mar 4, 2015 · $10,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 10 | Sep 2012 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Feb 2023 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 3 | Aug 2020 | Sep 13, 2008 · $750,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Apr 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.
How much snow does Stephens get?
A normal year brings about 1.7 inches of snow to Stephens, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Magnolia weather station 13 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 Stephens?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KSHV (Shreveport, LA), about 81 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 Stephens | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KSHV Shreveport, LA | 81 mi southwest | 7,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLZK Little Rock, AR | 108 mi north-northeast | 10,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KSRX Fort Smith, AR | 149 mi north-northwest | 17,900 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 Stephens
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 68 tornadoes within 25 miles of Stephens, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on December 19, 1957, which passed about 3 miles northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on March 14, 2025, which passed about 18 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 211 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 22 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 Stephens'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.
Stephens radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Stephens, AR?
KSHV (Shreveport, LA), about 81 miles southwest. KLZK (Little Rock, AR) is 108 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Stephens?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Stephens the lowest scan from KSHV is about 7,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Stephens 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 Stephens, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Magnolia, AR radar 13 mi
- Waldo, AR radar 14 mi
- Camden, AR radar 16 mi
- Smackover, AR radar 20 mi
- Stamps, AR radar 25 mi
- El Dorado, AR radar 27 mi
- Prescott, AR radar 32 mi
- Hope, AR radar 34 mi
- Gurdon, AR radar 35 mi
- Hampton, AR radar 36 mi