Fort Walton Beach, FL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fort Walton Beach?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 120 days in the Okaloosa Coastal forecast zone and Okaloosa County — the most common reported hazard around Fort Walton Beach, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (47 days) and lightning casualties & damage (44 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 120 | Jan 2026 | Jun 6, 1998 · $4.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 47 | May 2025 | Mar 28, 2009 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 44 | Jul 2017 | Jul 10, 2017 · 1 death |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 4 | Jun 2021 | Sep 15, 2020 · $47 million damage |
| Storm surge | 3 | Sep 2020 | — |
| Flooding | 3 | Mar 2014 | — |
| High winds | 1 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 1 | Jan 2025 | — |
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 Okaloosa Coastal forecast zone and Okaloosa County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Fort Walton Beach?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEVX (Eglin AFB, FL), about 43 miles east-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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Fort Walton Beach | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEVX Eglin AFB, FL | 43 mi east-northeast | 2,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMOB Mobile, AL | 98 mi west | 9,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KEOX Fort Rucker, AL | 99 mi northeast | 9,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Walton Beach
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 119 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fort Walton Beach, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and May. The strongest was an F3 on December 25, 1964, which passed about 3 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 10, 2025, which touched down about 11 miles east of town.
Hail: 32 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on March 12, 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 Fort Walton Beach'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 Walton Beach radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fort Walton Beach, FL?
KEVX (Eglin AFB, FL), about 43 miles east-northeast. KMOB (Mobile, AL) is 98 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Fort Walton Beach?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Fort Walton Beach the lowest scan from KEVX is about 2,900 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Fort Walton Beach 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 Walton Beach, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Valparaiso, FL radar 8 mi
- Destin, FL radar 9 mi
- Niceville, FL radar 11 mi
- Crestview, FL radar 22 mi
- Milton, FL radar 29 mi
- Freeport, FL radar 30 mi
- Gulf Breeze, FL radar 33 mi
- Pensacola, FL radar 34 mi
- DeFuniak Springs, FL radar 36 mi