Porterdale, GA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Porterdale, Newton County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Porterdale?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 85 days in the Newton forecast zone and Newton County — the most common reported hazard around Porterdale, mostly in June and July. Next come hurricanes & tropical storms (16 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (13 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 85 | Mar 2026 | Jun 25, 2018 · 1 death · $20,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 16 | Sep 2024 | Sep 11, 2017 · $250,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 13 | Jan 2003 | — |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Jul 2012 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 11 | Jan 2026 | Jan 28, 2005 · $200,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 9 | Jul 2012 | Apr 28, 2000 · $500,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Jan 2026 | Jan 22, 2000 · $980,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 7 | Dec 2021 | Dec 30, 2015 · $781,000 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 Newton forecast zone and Newton County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Porterdale get?
A normal year brings about 1.3 inches of snow to Porterdale, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Covington weather station 3.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Porterdale?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFFC (Atlanta, GA), about 41 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Porterdale | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFFC Atlanta, GA | 41 mi west-southwest | 2,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KJGX Robins AFB, GA | 70 mi south-southeast | 5,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMXX Maxwell AFB, AL | 131 mi west-southwest | 14,600 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 Porterdale
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 73 tornadoes within 25 miles of Porterdale, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F3 on January 10, 1972, which passed about 25 miles west-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF2 on May 29, 2025, which touched down about 18 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 237 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on February 18, 2009.
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 Porterdale'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.
Porterdale radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Porterdale, GA?
KFFC (Atlanta, GA), about 41 miles west-southwest. KJGX (Robins AFB, GA) is 70 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Porterdale?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Porterdale the lowest scan from KFFC is about 2,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Porterdale 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 Porterdale, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Covington, GA radar 4 mi
- Oxford, GA radar 4 mi
- Conyers, GA radar 8 mi
- Social Circle, GA radar 12 mi
- Walnut Grove, GA radar 12 mi
- Lithonia, GA radar 16 mi
- Stonecrest, GA radar 16 mi
- McDonough, GA radar 17 mi
- Loganville, GA radar 18 mi
- Monroe, GA radar 18 mi