Walnut Ridge, AR Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Walnut Ridge, Lawrence County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Walnut Ridge?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 86 days in the Lawrence forecast zone and Lawrence County — the most common reported hazard around Walnut Ridge, mostly in July and May. Next come flooding (74 days) and flash flooding (37 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 86 | Mar 2026 | Jun 5, 2014 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 74 | Jul 2025 | May 1, 2017 · $5.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 37 | Oct 2025 | May 3, 2017 · $2.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 31 | Feb 2025 | Dec 13, 2000 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 31 | Aug 2018 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Jan 2024 | Dec 3, 2002 · 1 death · $1.1 million damage |
| High winds | 3 | May 2019 | Jan 29, 2008 · $30,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 2 | Aug 2020 | Sep 14, 2008 · $62,000 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 Lawrence forecast zone and Lawrence County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Walnut Ridge?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KNQA (Memphis, TN), about 79 miles southeast. 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 Walnut Ridge | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KNQA Memphis, TN | 79 mi southeast | 6,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLZK Little Rock, AR | 114 mi southwest | 11,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KPAH Paducah, KY | 139 mi east-northeast | 16,000 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 Walnut Ridge
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 96 tornadoes within 25 miles of Walnut Ridge, 38 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an F4 on May 15, 1968, which passed about 22 miles south of town and caused 35 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on April 2, 2025, which passed about 10 miles north of town.
Hail: 256 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 23 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 9, 2015.
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 Walnut Ridge'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.
Walnut Ridge radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Walnut Ridge, AR?
KNQA (Memphis, TN), about 79 miles southeast. KLZK (Little Rock, AR) is 114 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Walnut Ridge?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Walnut Ridge the lowest scan from KNQA is about 6,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Walnut Ridge 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 Walnut Ridge, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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