Cottondale, FL Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for CottondaleWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Cottondale?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 189 days in the Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County — the most common reported hazard around Cottondale, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (27 days) and hurricanes & tropical storms (21 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds189Jun 2026Mar 28, 2009 · $500,000 damage
Flash flooding27Sep 2024Sep 16, 2020 · $7.0 million damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms21Sep 2024Oct 10, 2018 · 5 deaths · $650 million damage
Flooding17May 2023Mar 10, 1998 · $70 million damage
Excessive heat13Aug 2023—
Lightning casualties & damage7Jan 2024Jun 24, 2013 · $600,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms3Jan 2026Jan 21, 2025 · $500,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill3Feb 2026Dec 24, 2022 · $50,000 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 Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Cottondale?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEVX (Eglin AFB, FL), about 37 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 CottondaleView
KEVX
Eglin AFB, FL		37 mi west-southwest2,300 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KEOX
Fort Rucker, AL		47 mi north3,200 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KTLH
Tallahassee, FL		67 mi east-southeast5,400 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly

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 Cottondale

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 105 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cottondale, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and January. The strongest was an EF3 on March 31, 2022, which passed about 2 miles south of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on May 10, 2025, which passed about 21 miles northwest of town.

Hail: 52 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on February 7, 1971.

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 Cottondale'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.

Cottondale radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Cottondale, FL?

KEVX (Eglin AFB, FL), about 37 miles west-southwest. KEOX (Fort Rucker, AL) is 47 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Cottondale?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Cottondale the lowest scan from KEVX is about 2,300 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

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

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