Longboat Key, FL Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for Longboat KeyWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Longboat Key?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 78 days in the Coastal Manatee forecast zone and Manatee County — the most common reported hazard around Longboat Key, 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 storms12Oct 2024Sep 28, 2022 · 4 deaths · $1.0 billion damage
Storm surge7Oct 2024Nov 11, 2020 · 1 death
Coastal flooding1Dec 2023—
Wildfires1Mar 2000Mar 11, 2000 · $20,000 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 Manatee forecast zone and Manatee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Longboat Key?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 26 miles 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over Longboat KeyView
KTBW
Tampa, FL		26 mi northeast1,500 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KMLB
Melbourne, FL		131 mi east-northeast14,700 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KAMX
Miami, FL		185 mi southeast25,700 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 Longboat Key

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 168 tornadoes within 25 miles of Longboat Key, 18 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 19 miles north of town. The most recent was an EF0 on January 9, 2024, which touched down about 24 miles north of town.

Hail: 40 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 3, 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 Longboat Key'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.

Longboat Key radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Longboat Key, FL?

KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 26 miles northeast. KMLB (Melbourne, FL) is 131 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Longboat Key?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Longboat Key the lowest scan from KTBW is about 1,500 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

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

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