Desoto Acres, FL Live Doppler Radar

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

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What weather hits Desoto Acres?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 57 days in the Coastal Sarasota forecast zone and Sarasota County — the most common reported hazard around Desoto Acres, mostly in June and March. Next come flooding (28 days) and lightning casualties & damage (26 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds57Jun 2025Dec 26, 1998 · 1 death · $30,000 damage
Flooding28Jun 2024Aug 26, 2017 · 1 death · $50,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage26Jul 2020Jun 24, 2018 · 1 death
Hurricanes & tropical storms10Oct 2024Sep 28, 2022 · 8 deaths · $2.0 billion damage
Flash flooding10Oct 2024Nov 13, 1997 · $2.3 million damage
Wildfires6May 2020Apr 29, 2000 · $250,000 damage
Storm surge4Oct 2024Sep 1, 2016 · $4.0 million damage
High winds1Dec 2021Dec 21, 2021 · $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 Coastal Sarasota forecast zone and Sarasota County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Desoto Acres?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 23 miles north-northeast. 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 Desoto AcresView
KTBW
Tampa, FL		23 mi north-northeast1,400 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KMLB
Melbourne, FL		125 mi east-northeast13,500 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KAMX
Miami, FL		179 mi southeast24,200 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 Desoto Acres

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 177 tornadoes within 25 miles of Desoto Acres, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on April 15, 1958, which touched down about 21 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on October 11, 2023, which touched down about 11 miles southeast of town.

Hail: 48 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 3, 2001.

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 Desoto Acres'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.

Desoto Acres radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Desoto Acres, FL?

KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 23 miles north-northeast. KMLB (Melbourne, FL) is 125 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Desoto Acres?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Desoto Acres the lowest scan from KTBW is about 1,400 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

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

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