Wauchula, FL Live Doppler Radar

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

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What weather hits Wauchula?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 36 days in the Hardee forecast zone and Hardee County — the most common reported hazard around Wauchula, mostly in June and August. Next come hurricanes & tropical storms (17 days) and flooding (17 days).

Hazard	Days reported	Most recent	Worst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds	36	Jul 2022	Aug 2, 1999 · $150,000 damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms	17	Oct 2024	Sep 28, 2022 · 4 deaths · $1.0 million damage
Flooding	17	Jul 2021	Sep 12, 2017 · $1.6 million damage
Flash flooding	7	Jun 2003	Sep 14, 2001 · $1.0 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage	5	May 2019	Jul 29, 2003 · $30,000 damage
High winds	3	Sep 2004	Aug 13, 2004 · $252 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill	3	Feb 2007	—

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 Hardee forecast zone and Hardee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Wauchula?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 38 miles west-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 Wauchula	View
KTBW Tampa, FL	38 mi west-northwest	2,500 ft	Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KMLB Melbourne, FL	81 mi east-northeast	7,000 ft	Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KAMX Miami, FL	159 mi south-southeast	20,000 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 Wauchula

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 118 tornadoes within 25 miles of Wauchula, 9 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and April. The strongest was an EF2 on January 17, 2016, which passed about 20 miles west-northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on October 9, 2024, which touched down about 18 miles east of town.

Hail: 54 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 5 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-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 Wauchula'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.

Wauchula radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Wauchula, FL?

KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 38 miles west-northwest. KMLB (Melbourne, FL) is 81 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Wauchula?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Wauchula the lowest scan from KTBW is about 2,500 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

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

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