Rainbow Springs, FL Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for Rainbow SpringsWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Rainbow Springs?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 251 days in the Western Marion forecast zone and Marion County — the most common reported hazard around Rainbow Springs, mostly in June and July. Next come lightning casualties & damage (29 days) and wildfires (17 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds251Jun 2026May 29, 2025 · 1 death
Lightning casualties & damage29May 2026Jun 27, 1996 · 1 death · $30,000 damage
Wildfires17May 2021May 28, 2000 · $100,000 damage
Flooding17Jul 2025Jun 24, 2012 · $300,000 damage
Flash flooding15Aug 2025Sep 27, 1999 · $600,000 damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms4Oct 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 Marion forecast zone and Marion County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Rainbow Springs?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 96 miles south. 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 Rainbow SpringsView
KTBW
Tampa, FL		96 mi south9,100 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KJAX
Jacksonville, FL		106 mi north-northeast10,500 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KMLB
Melbourne, FL		128 mi east-southeast14,100 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 Rainbow Springs

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 102 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rainbow Springs, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and July. The strongest was an F3 on April 9, 1983, which passed about 18 miles south-southeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 16, 2024, which touched down about 18 miles south-southwest of town.

Hail: 97 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 13, 2007.

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 Rainbow Springs'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.

Rainbow Springs radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Rainbow Springs, FL?

KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 96 miles south. KJAX (Jacksonville, FL) is 106 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Rainbow Springs?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Rainbow Springs the lowest scan from KTBW is about 9,100 ft up — fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation.

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

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