Crystal Lake, FL Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for Crystal LakeWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Crystal Lake?

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 Crystal Lake, mostly in June and July. Next come lightning casualties & damage (40 days) and flooding (30 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds160Jun 2024Jul 28, 2010 · $900,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage40Jun 2018Jul 6, 1998 · 2 deaths
Flooding30Aug 2015Jul 1, 2005 · $1.6 million damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms25Oct 2024Sep 10, 2017 · 3 deaths · $162 million damage
Wildfires13Apr 2017Feb 15, 2017 · $1.1 million damage
Flash flooding8Apr 2008Dec 13, 1997 · $750,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill7Oct 2008Jan 25, 2003 · $1.0 million damage
High winds5Sep 2004Aug 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 Crystal Lake?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 38 miles 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 Crystal LakeView
KTBW
Tampa, FL		38 mi southwest2,500 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KMLB
Melbourne, FL		76 mi east6,400 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KJAX
Jacksonville, FL		170 mi north22,200 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 Crystal Lake

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 208 tornadoes within 25 miles of Crystal Lake, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 4, 1966, which passed about 7 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 west of town.

Hail: 169 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 Crystal Lake'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.

Crystal Lake radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Crystal Lake, FL?

KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 38 miles southwest. KMLB (Melbourne, FL) is 76 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Crystal Lake?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Crystal Lake the lowest scan from KTBW is about 2,500 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

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

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