Winter Haven, FL Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for Winter HavenWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Winter Haven?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 160 days in the Polk forecast zone and Polk County — the most common reported hazard around Winter Haven, mostly in June and July. Next come lightning casualties & damage (40 days) and flooding (30 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds160Jun 2024Jul 28, 2010 · $900,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage40Jun 2018Jul 6, 1998 · 2 deaths
Flooding30Aug 2015Jul 1, 2005 · $1.6 million damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms25Oct 2024Sep 10, 2017 · 3 deaths · $162 million damage
Wildfires13Apr 2017Feb 15, 2017 · $1.1 million damage
Flash flooding8Apr 2008Dec 13, 1997 · $750,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill7Oct 2008Jan 25, 2003 · $1.0 million damage
High winds5Sep 2004Aug 13, 2004 · 1 death · $749 million 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 Polk forecast zone and Polk County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Winter Haven?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 47 miles west-southwest. 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 Winter HavenView
KTBW
Tampa, FL		47 mi west-southwest3,300 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KMLB
Melbourne, FL		66 mi east5,200 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KJAX
Jacksonville, FL		169 mi north22,000 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 Winter Haven

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 181 tornadoes within 25 miles of Winter Haven, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 4, 1966, which passed about 9 miles north-northwest of town and caused 11 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on September 26, 2024, which touched down about 6 miles east-southeast of town.

Hail: 151 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on March 30, 1996.

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 Winter Haven'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.

Winter Haven radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Winter Haven, FL?

KTBW (Tampa, FL), about 47 miles west-southwest. KMLB (Melbourne, FL) is 66 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Winter Haven?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Winter Haven the lowest scan from KTBW is about 3,300 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.

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

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