Palatka, FL Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for PalatkaWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Palatka?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 199 days in the Western Putnam forecast zone and Putnam County — the most common reported hazard around Palatka, mostly in June and July. Next come wildfires (20 days) and lightning casualties & damage (18 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds199Jun 2026Jul 20, 2002 · 1 death · $20,000 damage
Wildfires20Jun 2026Mar 1, 2026 · $50,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage18May 2026Sep 26, 2023 · 1 death
Flooding17May 2026Jun 24, 2012 · $5,000 damage
Flash flooding8Sep 2017Dec 15, 1997 · $10,000 damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms3Oct 2024—

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 Western Putnam forecast zone and Putnam County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Palatka?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KJAX (Jacksonville, FL), about 58 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 PalatkaView
KJAX
Jacksonville, FL		58 mi north4,400 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KVAX
Moody AFB, GA		117 mi northwest12,200 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KMLB
Melbourne, FL		123 mi south-southeast13,200 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 Palatka

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 96 tornadoes within 25 miles of Palatka, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and September. The strongest was an F3 on February 7, 1971, which passed about 19 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on July 20, 2024, which touched down about 20 miles south of town.

Hail: 87 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on April 10, 2018.

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 Palatka'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.

Palatka radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Palatka, FL?

KJAX (Jacksonville, FL), about 58 miles north. KVAX (Moody AFB, GA) is 117 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Palatka?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Palatka the lowest scan from KJAX is about 4,400 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.

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

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