Live Oak, FL Live Doppler Radar

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

What weather hits Live Oak?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 159 days in the Suwannee forecast zone and Suwannee County — the most common reported hazard around Live Oak, mostly in June and July. Next come hurricanes & tropical storms (12 days) and flash flooding (10 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds159Jun 2024Feb 17, 1998 · $900,000 damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms12Sep 2024Jun 6, 2013 · $10,000 damage
Flash flooding10Aug 2024Jun 26, 2012 · $200,000 damage
Flooding8Mar 2022Mar 1, 1998 · $5.5 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage5Jun 2015May 28, 1996 · $250,000 damage
High winds2Feb 2020Feb 6, 2020 · $3,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet1Jan 2014—
Heavy snow & winter storms1Jan 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 Suwannee forecast zone and Suwannee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Live Oak?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KVAX (Moody AFB, GA), about 41 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 Live OakView
KVAX
Moody AFB, GA
41 mi north2,700 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KJAX
Jacksonville, FL
78 mi east6,600 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KTLH
Tallahassee, FL
80 mi west6,900 ftFair — 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 Live Oak

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 82 tornadoes within 25 miles of Live Oak, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and March. The strongest was an F3 on April 19, 1988, which passed about 21 miles northwest of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 10, 2024, which passed about 14 miles west-northwest of town.

Hail: 79 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on March 25, 2005.

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 Live Oak'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.

Live Oak radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Live Oak, FL?

KVAX (Moody AFB, GA), about 41 miles north. KJAX (Jacksonville, FL) is 78 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Live Oak?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Live Oak the lowest scan from KVAX is about 2,700 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

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

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