Capitola, FL Live Doppler Radar

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

What weather hits Capitola?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 247 days in the Leon forecast zone and Leon County — the most common reported hazard around Capitola, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (31 days) and lightning casualties & damage (29 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds247Jun 2026Apr 19, 2019 · 1 death · $50,000 damage
Flash flooding31Sep 2024Jun 11, 2001 · 1 death · $20 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage29Mar 2026Mar 3, 2024 · 1 death
Hurricanes & tropical storms27Sep 2024Oct 10, 2018 · 3 deaths · $150 million damage
Flooding21Mar 2025Jul 13, 1998 · $500,000 damage
Excessive heat10Aug 2023Sep 2, 2010 · 1 death
Extreme cold & wind chill6Feb 2026Dec 24, 2022 · 1 death · $50,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms3Jan 2025Jan 21, 2025 · $500,000 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 Leon forecast zone and Leon County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Capitola?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTLH (Tallahassee, FL), about 15 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over CapitolaView
KTLH
Tallahassee, FL
15 mi west-southwest800 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KVAX
Moody AFB, GA
71 mi east-northeast5,800 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KEOX
Fort Rucker, AL
108 mi northwest10,800 ftLimited — 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 Capitola

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 71 tornadoes within 25 miles of Capitola, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an EF3 on March 3, 2019, which passed about 4 miles north of town. The most recent was an EF1 on April 7, 2025, which passed about 21 miles west of town.

Hail: 105 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 8 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on June 10, 1995.

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 Capitola'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.

Capitola radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Capitola, FL?

KTLH (Tallahassee, FL), about 15 miles west-southwest. KVAX (Moody AFB, GA) is 71 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Capitola?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Capitola the lowest scan from KTLH is about 800 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

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

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