Sarasota Springs, FL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sarasota Springs, Sarasota County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sarasota Springs?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 57 days in the Coastal Sarasota forecast zone and Sarasota County — the most common reported hazard around Sarasota Springs, mostly in June and March. Next come flooding (28 days) and lightning casualties & damage (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 57 | Jun 2025 | Dec 26, 1998 · 1 death · $30,000 damage |
| Flooding | 28 | Jun 2024 | Aug 26, 2017 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 26 | Jul 2020 | Jun 24, 2018 · 1 death |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 10 | Oct 2024 | Sep 28, 2022 · 8 deaths · $2.0 billion damage |
| Flash flooding | 10 | Oct 2024 | Nov 13, 1997 · $2.3 million damage |
| Wildfires | 6 | May 2020 | Apr 29, 2000 · $250,000 damage |
| Storm surge | 4 | Oct 2024 | Sep 1, 2016 · $4.0 million damage |
| High winds | 1 | Dec 2021 | Dec 21, 2021 · $50,000 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 Sarasota forecast zone and Sarasota County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Sarasota Springs?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 28 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Sarasota Springs | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTBW Tampa, FL | 28 mi north | 1,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMLB Melbourne, FL | 125 mi east-northeast | 13,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KAMX Miami, FL | 173 mi southeast | 23,000 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 Sarasota Springs
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 177 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sarasota Springs, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on March 17, 1985, which passed about 16 miles south of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on October 11, 2023, which touched down about 6 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 47 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on May 27, 1969.
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 Sarasota 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.
Sarasota Springs radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sarasota Springs, FL?
KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 28 miles north. KMLB (Melbourne, FL) is 125 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Sarasota Springs?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Sarasota Springs the lowest scan from KTBW is about 1,700 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Sarasota 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 Sarasota Springs, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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