Port Charlotte, FL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Port Charlotte, Charlotte County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Port Charlotte?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 50 days in the Coastal Charlotte forecast zone and Charlotte County — the most common reported hazard around Port Charlotte, mostly in June and August. Next come lightning casualties & damage (24 days) and hurricanes & tropical storms (10 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 50 | May 2026 | Jan 17, 2016 · $225,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 24 | Aug 2019 | Mar 29, 2001 · 2 deaths · $50,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 10 | Oct 2024 | Sep 28, 2022 · 8 deaths · $3.0 billion damage |
| Flooding | 7 | Jul 1999 | Jul 1, 1999 · $75,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Sep 2003 | Jun 22, 2003 · $3.3 million damage |
| Wildfires | 5 | Apr 2000 | Apr 7, 2000 · $30,000 damage |
| Storm surge | 3 | Oct 2024 | Sep 10, 2017 · $20 million damage |
| High winds | 1 | Dec 2021 | — |
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 Charlotte forecast zone and Charlotte County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Port Charlotte?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 53 miles north-northwest. 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Port Charlotte | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTBW Tampa, FL | 53 mi north-northwest | 3,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMLB Melbourne, FL | 118 mi northeast | 12,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KAMX Miami, FL | 142 mi southeast | 16,600 ft | Limited — 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 Port Charlotte
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 159 tornadoes within 25 miles of Port Charlotte, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and September. The strongest was an F3 on March 17, 1985, which passed about 20 miles west-northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 21, 2025, which touched down about 17 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 42 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 3, 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 Port Charlotte'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.
Port Charlotte radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Port Charlotte, FL?
KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 53 miles north-northwest. KMLB (Melbourne, FL) is 118 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Port Charlotte?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Port Charlotte the lowest scan from KTBW is about 3,800 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Port Charlotte 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 Port Charlotte, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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