Cortland, IN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cortland, Jackson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cortland?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 96 days in the Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County — the most common reported hazard around Cortland, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (95 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 96 | Apr 2026 | Apr 20, 1996 · 2 deaths · $50,000 damage |
| Flooding | 95 | Mar 2026 | Jan 4, 2004 · 2 deaths |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 29 | Jan 2026 | Dec 22, 2004 · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 24 | Jun 2021 | Jun 5, 2019 · $75,000 damage |
| High winds | 9 | Sep 2024 | Mar 30, 2022 · $30,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Mar 2012 | May 3, 1996 · $30,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 2 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Excessive heat | 2 | Aug 2023 | — |
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 Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Cortland get?
A normal year brings about 8.0 inches of snow to Cortland, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Seymour 2 N weather station 3.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 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 Cortland?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIND (Indianapolis, IN), about 54 miles north-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 Cortland | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 54 mi north-northwest | 3,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLVX Louisville, KY | 69 mi south | 5,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KVWX Evansville, IN | 107 mi west-southwest | 10,700 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 Cortland
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 83 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cortland, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 3, 1974, which passed about 17 miles northeast of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 16, 2025, which touched down about 6 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 171 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 3, 2007.
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 Cortland'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.
Cortland radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cortland, IN?
KIND (Indianapolis, IN), about 54 miles north-northwest. KLVX (Louisville, KY) is 69 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cortland?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cortland the lowest scan from KIND is about 3,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Cortland 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 Cortland, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Seymour, IN radar 4 mi
- Brownstown, IN radar 8 mi
- Crothersville, IN radar 14 mi
- Columbus, IN radar 16 mi
- Austin, IN radar 18 mi
- North Vernon, IN radar 18 mi
- Nashville, IN radar 22 mi
- Scottsburg, IN radar 22 mi
- Hope, IN radar 25 mi
- Westport, IN radar 25 mi