Bradley Junction, FL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bradley Junction, Polk County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bradley Junction?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 160 days in the Polk forecast zone and Polk County — the most common reported hazard around Bradley Junction, mostly in June and July. Next come lightning casualties & damage (40 days) and flooding (30 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 160 | Jun 2024 | Jul 28, 2010 · $900,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 40 | Jun 2018 | Jul 6, 1998 · 2 deaths |
| Flooding | 30 | Aug 2015 | Jul 1, 2005 · $1.6 million damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 25 | Oct 2024 | Sep 10, 2017 · 3 deaths · $162 million damage |
| Wildfires | 13 | Apr 2017 | Feb 15, 2017 · $1.1 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 8 | Apr 2008 | Dec 13, 1997 · $750,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Oct 2008 | Jan 25, 2003 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 5 | Sep 2004 | Aug 13, 2004 · 1 death · $749 million 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 Polk forecast zone and Polk County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Bradley Junction?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 27 miles west-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 Bradley Junction | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTBW Tampa, FL | 27 mi west-southwest | 1,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMLB Melbourne, FL | 84 mi east-northeast | 7,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KAMX Miami, FL | 179 mi south-southeast | 24,300 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 Bradley Junction
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 200 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bradley Junction, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on April 4, 1966, which passed about 21 miles north-northwest of town and caused 11 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on August 8, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 149 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 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 Bradley Junction'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.
Bradley Junction radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bradley Junction, FL?
KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 27 miles west-southwest. KMLB (Melbourne, FL) is 84 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Bradley Junction?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Bradley Junction the lowest scan from KTBW is about 1,600 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Bradley Junction 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 Bradley Junction, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Mulberry, FL radar 8 mi
- Fort Meade, FL radar 11 mi
- Bartow, FL radar 11 mi
- Bowling Green, FL radar 14 mi
- Plant City, FL radar 17 mi
- Lakeland, FL radar 18 mi
- Eagle Lake, FL radar 18 mi
- Wauchula, FL radar 20 mi
- Winter Haven, FL radar 23 mi
- Zolfo Springs, FL radar 24 mi