Ward, AR Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ward, Lonoke County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ward?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 156 days in the Lonoke forecast zone and Lonoke County — the most common reported hazard around Ward, mostly in July and May. Next come flash flooding (48 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 156 | Jun 2026 | Jun 25, 2023 · 2 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 48 | Apr 2025 | Dec 24, 2009 · $2.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 29 | Jan 2026 | Dec 25, 2012 · $3.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Jul 2015 | Jul 10, 2015 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 11 | Apr 2025 | May 1, 2011 · 1 death · $9.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 9 | Apr 2021 | Mar 15, 2008 · $1.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Feb 2023 | Feb 4, 2014 · 1 death · $200,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 3 | Aug 2020 | Sep 13, 2008 · $750,000 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 Lonoke forecast zone and Lonoke County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ward get?
A normal year brings about 2.1 inches of snow to Ward, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cabot weather station 3.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (0.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 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 Ward?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLZK (Little Rock, AR), about 21 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 Ward | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLZK Little Rock, AR | 21 mi southwest | 1,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KNQA Memphis, TN | 120 mi east-northeast | 12,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KSRX Fort Smith, AR | 137 mi west | 15,700 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 Ward
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 174 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ward, 67 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on March 21, 1952, which passed about 20 miles northeast of town and caused 50 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 12, 2025, which touched down about 9 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 401 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 41 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on April 2, 2006.
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 Ward'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.
Ward radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ward, AR?
KLZK (Little Rock, AR), about 21 miles southwest. KNQA (Memphis, TN) is 120 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ward?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ward the lowest scan from KLZK is about 1,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ward 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 Ward, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Austin, AR radar 2 mi
- Cabot, AR radar 5 mi
- Beebe, AR radar 5 mi
- Jacksonville, AR radar 13 mi
- Vilonia, AR radar 15 mi
- Lonoke, AR radar 16 mi
- Sherwood, AR radar 18 mi
- Carlisle, AR radar 19 mi
- Searcy, AR radar 20 mi
- Kensett, AR radar 22 mi