Florida Gulf Coast University, FL Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Florida Gulf Coast University, Lee County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for Florida Gulf Coast UniversityWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Florida Gulf Coast University?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 102 days in the Inland Lee forecast zone and Lee County — the most common reported hazard around Florida Gulf Coast University, mostly in June and August. Next come lightning casualties & damage (57 days) and flooding (34 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds102May 2024Jan 15, 2016 · $300,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage57Sep 2022Aug 18, 2005 · 2 deaths
Flooding34Sep 2025Sep 10, 2017 · $500 million damage
Wildfires12Apr 2020Apr 3, 2020 · $100 million damage
Flash flooding11Jun 2009Jun 18, 1999 · $500,000 damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms10Oct 2024Sep 10, 2017 · $173 million damage
High winds3Nov 2023Feb 4, 1998 · $15,000 damage
Excessive heat3Jun 1998Jun 3, 1998 · 1 death

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 Inland Lee forecast zone and Lee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Florida Gulf Coast University?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 94 miles north-northwest. 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 Florida Gulf Coast UniversityView
KTBW
Tampa, FL		94 mi north-northwest8,800 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KAMX
Miami, FL		103 mi southeast10,000 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KBYX
Key West, FL		129 mi south14,300 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 Florida Gulf Coast University

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 171 tornadoes within 25 miles of Florida Gulf Coast University, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and September. The strongest was an F2 on November 9, 1968, which passed about 17 miles south-southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on October 9, 2024, which touched down about 15 miles west of town.

Hail: 82 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 May 31, 1965.

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 Florida Gulf Coast University'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.

Florida Gulf Coast University radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Florida Gulf Coast University, FL?

KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 94 miles north-northwest. KAMX (Miami, FL) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Florida Gulf Coast University?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Florida Gulf Coast University the lowest scan from KTBW is about 8,800 ft up — fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation.

Is TALON's radar for Florida Gulf Coast University 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 Florida Gulf Coast University, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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