Venice Gardens, FL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Venice Gardens, Sarasota County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Venice Gardens?
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 Venice Gardens, 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 Venice Gardens?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 44 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 Venice Gardens | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTBW Tampa, FL | 44 mi north | 3,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMLB Melbourne, FL | 129 mi northeast | 14,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KAMX Miami, FL | 160 mi southeast | 20,100 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 Venice Gardens
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 151 tornadoes within 25 miles of Venice Gardens, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on March 17, 1985, which crossed near town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on October 9, 2024, which touched down about 15 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 43 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 July 10, 1992.
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 Venice Gardens'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.
Venice Gardens radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Venice Gardens, FL?
KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 44 miles north. KMLB (Melbourne, FL) is 129 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Venice Gardens?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Venice Gardens the lowest scan from KTBW is about 3,000 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Venice Gardens 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 Venice Gardens, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Venice, FL radar 3 mi
- North Port, FL radar 13 mi
- Sarasota, FL radar 20 mi
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- Longboat Key, FL radar 27 mi
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- Holmes Beach, FL radar 35 mi
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