Apollo Beach, FL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Apollo Beach, Hillsborough County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Apollo Beach?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 206 days in the Coastal Hillsborough forecast zone and Hillsborough County — the most common reported hazard around Apollo Beach, mostly in July and June. Next come lightning casualties & damage (100 days) and flooding (54 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 206 | Jan 2026 | Jun 21, 1998 · 1 death · $1,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 100 | Aug 2023 | Aug 13, 2012 · 1 death · $385,000 damage |
| Flooding | 54 | Jun 2025 | Aug 1, 2015 · $4.5 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 11 | Jul 2025 | Sep 26, 1997 · 1 death · $5.3 million damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 10 | Oct 2024 | Sep 28, 2022 · 3 deaths · $59 million damage |
| Storm surge | 6 | Oct 2024 | Nov 11, 2020 · $485,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 2 | May 2000 | — |
| High winds | 1 | Dec 2018 | — |
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 Coastal Hillsborough forecast zone and Hillsborough County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Apollo Beach?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 4 miles south. 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 Apollo Beach | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTBW Tampa, FL | 4 mi south | 200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMLB Melbourne, FL | 110 mi east-northeast | 11,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KJAX Jacksonville, FL | 193 mi north-northeast | 27,500 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 Apollo Beach
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 301 tornadoes within 25 miles of Apollo Beach, 31 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on April 4, 1966, which passed about 17 miles north-northwest of town and caused 11 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on September 25, 2025, which touched down about 17 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 186 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on April 24, 2023.
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 Apollo Beach'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.
Apollo Beach radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Apollo Beach, FL?
KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 4 miles south. KMLB (Melbourne, FL) is 110 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Apollo Beach?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Apollo Beach the lowest scan from KTBW is about 200 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Apollo Beach 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 Apollo Beach, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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