Lakewood Ranch, FL Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Lakewood Ranch, Manatee County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for Lakewood RanchWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Lakewood Ranch?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 78 days in the Inland Manatee forecast zone and Manatee County — the most common reported hazard around Lakewood Ranch, mostly in June and July. Next come lightning casualties & damage (37 days) and flooding (31 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds78Aug 2025Sep 2, 2022 · $200,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage37Aug 2024Sep 7, 2021 · 1 death
Flooding31Sep 2022Aug 26, 2017 · 1 death · $1.3 million damage
Flash flooding13Oct 2024Aug 9, 2003 · 1 death · $1.3 million damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms8Oct 2024Sep 10, 2017 · $27 million damage
Wildfires2Mar 2018Mar 24, 2018 · $150,000 damage
Storm surge2Jan 1999Jan 2, 1999 · $200,000 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 Inland Manatee forecast zone and Manatee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Lakewood Ranch?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 19 miles north. 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 Lakewood RanchView
KTBW
Tampa, FL		19 mi north1,100 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KMLB
Melbourne, FL		116 mi east-northeast12,100 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KAMX
Miami, FL		175 mi southeast23,300 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 Lakewood Ranch

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 182 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lakewood Ranch, 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 22 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on October 11, 2023, which touched down about 11 miles south of town.

Hail: 55 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 27, 1969.

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 Lakewood Ranch'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.

Lakewood Ranch radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Lakewood Ranch, FL?

KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 19 miles north. KMLB (Melbourne, FL) is 116 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Lakewood Ranch?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Lakewood Ranch the lowest scan from KTBW is about 1,100 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

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

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