Crooked Lake Park, FL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Crooked Lake Park, Polk County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Crooked Lake Park?
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 Crooked Lake Park, 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 Crooked Lake Park?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 50 miles west. 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 Crooked Lake Park | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTBW Tampa, FL | 50 mi west | 3,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMLB Melbourne, FL | 60 mi east-northeast | 4,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KAMX Miami, FL | 170 mi south-southeast | 22,200 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 Crooked Lake Park
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 152 tornadoes within 25 miles of Crooked Lake Park, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F2 on May 8, 1979, which passed about 17 miles north-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on October 9, 2024, which touched down about 17 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 115 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on March 30, 1996.
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 Crooked Lake Park'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.
Crooked Lake Park radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Crooked Lake Park, FL?
KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 50 miles west. KMLB (Melbourne, FL) is 60 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Crooked Lake Park?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Crooked Lake Park the lowest scan from KTBW is about 3,600 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Crooked Lake Park 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 Crooked Lake Park, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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