Altoona, FL Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for Altoona What TALON shows

What weather hits Altoona?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 81 days in the Northern Lake County forecast zone and Lake County — the most common reported hazard around Altoona, mostly in June and April. Next come lightning casualties & damage (15 days) and hurricanes & tropical storms (8 days).

Hazard	Days reported	Most recent	Worst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds	81	May 2024	May 24, 2009 · 3 deaths
Lightning casualties & damage	15	May 2022	May 21, 2022 · 1 death
Hurricanes & tropical storms	8	Oct 2024	Sep 10, 2017 · 1 death · $37 million damage
Flooding	6	Oct 2024	Oct 9, 2024 · $13 million damage
Flash flooding	5	Oct 2025	Oct 26, 2025 · $2.8 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill	2	Dec 2010	Jan 24, 2003 · $10,000 damage
High winds	1	Sep 2004	Sep 4, 2004 · $12 million damage
Coastal flooding	1	Sep 2022	Sep 12, 2022 · $13,000 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 Northern Lake County forecast zone and Lake County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Altoona?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMLB (Melbourne, FL), about 84 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 Altoona	View
KMLB Melbourne, FL	84 mi southeast	7,500 ft	Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KTBW Tampa, FL	99 mi south-southwest	9,400 ft	Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KJAX Jacksonville, FL	105 mi north	10,300 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 Altoona

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 106 tornadoes within 25 miles of Altoona, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an EF3 on February 2, 2007, which passed about 4 miles east of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 12, 2025, which touched down about 14 miles southwest of town.

Hail: 114 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 8 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 21, 2020.

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 Altoona'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.

Altoona radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Altoona, FL?

KMLB (Melbourne, FL), about 84 miles southeast. KTBW (Tampa, FL) is 99 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Altoona?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Altoona the lowest scan from KMLB is about 7,500 ft up — fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation.

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

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