Fort Lauderdale, FL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fort Lauderdale, Broward County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fort Lauderdale?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 186 days in the Coastal Broward County forecast zone and Broward County — the most common reported hazard around Fort Lauderdale, mostly in June and May. Next come lightning casualties & damage (120 days) and flooding (53 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 186 | Sep 2025 | Sep 7, 2012 · $53,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 120 | Sep 2024 | Jun 8, 2000 · 2 deaths |
| Flooding | 53 | Oct 2025 | May 20, 2018 · $20,000 damage |
| Coastal flooding | 35 | Oct 2025 | Nov 16, 2023 · $20,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 29 | Oct 2025 | Oct 15, 1999 · $70 million damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 11 | Oct 2024 | Aug 26, 2012 · $350,000 damage |
| Storm surge | 7 | Nov 2022 | Aug 26, 2012 · $644,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 5 | May 2001 | Jun 4, 2000 · $10,000 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 Broward County forecast zone and Broward County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Fort Lauderdale?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAMX (Miami, FL), about 40 miles south-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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Fort Lauderdale | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAMX Miami, FL | 40 mi south-southwest | 2,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMLB Melbourne, FL | 140 mi north-northwest | 16,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBYX Key West, FL | 144 mi southwest | 17,100 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 Fort Lauderdale
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 230 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fort Lauderdale, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and September. The strongest was an F3 on March 1, 1980, which passed about 2 miles northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on October 9, 2024, which passed about 24 miles west of town.
Hail: 144 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on February 10, 1983.
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 Fort Lauderdale'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.
Fort Lauderdale radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fort Lauderdale, FL?
KAMX (Miami, FL), about 40 miles south-southwest. KMLB (Melbourne, FL) is 140 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Fort Lauderdale?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Fort Lauderdale the lowest scan from KAMX is about 2,700 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.