Punta Gorda, FL Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for Punta GordaWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Punta Gorda?

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 Punta Gorda, mostly in June and August. Next come lightning casualties & damage (24 days) and hurricanes & tropical storms (10 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds50May 2026Jan 17, 2016 · $225,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage24Aug 2019Mar 29, 2001 · 2 deaths · $50,000 damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms10Oct 2024Sep 28, 2022 · 8 deaths · $3.0 billion damage
Flooding7Jul 1999Jul 1, 1999 · $75,000 damage
Flash flooding5Sep 2003Jun 22, 2003 · $3.3 million damage
Wildfires5Apr 2000Apr 7, 2000 · $30,000 damage
Storm surge3Oct 2024Sep 10, 2017 · $20 million damage
High winds1Dec 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 Punta Gorda?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 59 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over Punta GordaView
KTBW
Tampa, FL		59 mi north-northwest4,500 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KMLB
Melbourne, FL		121 mi northeast12,800 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KAMX
Miami, FL		136 mi southeast15,400 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 Punta Gorda

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 177 tornadoes within 25 miles of Punta Gorda, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and September. The strongest was an F3 on March 17, 1985, which passed about 25 miles west-northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 21, 2025, which touched down about 20 miles northeast of town.

Hail: 64 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 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 Punta Gorda'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.

Punta Gorda radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Punta Gorda, FL?

KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 59 miles north-northwest. KMLB (Melbourne, FL) is 121 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Punta Gorda?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Punta Gorda the lowest scan from KTBW is about 4,500 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.

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

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