Laurel, FL Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Laurel, 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 Laurel?

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 Laurel, 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 Laurel?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 38 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 LaurelView
KTBW
Tampa, FL		38 mi north2,500 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KMLB
Melbourne, FL		129 mi east-northeast14,200 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KAMX
Miami, FL		165 mi southeast21,300 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 Laurel

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 164 tornadoes within 25 miles of Laurel, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F3 on March 17, 1985, which passed about 5 miles south of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on October 9, 2024, which touched down about 20 miles southeast of town.

Hail: 39 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on May 20, 2013.

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 Laurel'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.

Laurel radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Laurel, FL?

KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 38 miles north. KMLB (Melbourne, FL) is 129 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Laurel?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Laurel the lowest scan from KTBW is about 2,500 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

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

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