Lawrence, IN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lawrence, Marion County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lawrence?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 178 days in the Marion forecast zone and Marion County — the most common reported hazard around Lawrence, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (54 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 178 | Jun 2026 | Aug 13, 2011 · 7 deaths · $975,000 damage |
| Flooding | 54 | May 2026 | Jul 9, 2017 · 1 death · $1,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 40 | Jan 2026 | Jan 24, 2026 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 39 | Apr 2026 | Sep 1, 2003 · $5.0 million damage |
| High winds | 22 | Apr 2026 | Jan 18, 1996 · 1 death · $10 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 21 | Jul 2023 | Jun 11, 2009 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Jan 2026 | Jan 24, 2026 · 2 deaths |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Jun 2026 | Jun 14, 2000 · 1 death |
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 Marion forecast zone and Marion County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lawrence get?
A normal year brings about 27 inches of snow to Lawrence, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Castleton 2 S weather station 3.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.6 | 6.7 | 8.4 | 7.2 | 3.6 | 0.2 | 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 Lawrence?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIND (Indianapolis, IN), about 19 miles 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 Lawrence | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 19 mi southwest | 1,000 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 104 mi north | 10,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 119 mi east-southeast | 12,600 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 Lawrence
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 149 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lawrence, 55 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 21 miles north-northwest of town and caused 28 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on April 2, 2025, which passed about 15 miles west of town.
Hail: 589 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 47 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.40-inch hail on June 18, 2021.
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 Lawrence'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.
Lawrence radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lawrence, IN?
KIND (Indianapolis, IN), about 19 miles southwest. KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lawrence?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lawrence the lowest scan from KIND is about 1,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lawrence 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 Lawrence, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- McCordsville, IN radar 4 mi
- Cumberland, IN radar 6 mi
- Warren Park, IN radar 7 mi
- Fishers, IN radar 7 mi
- Fortville, IN radar 9 mi
- Meridian Hills, IN radar 9 mi
- Indianapolis, IN radar 10 mi
- New Palestine, IN radar 11 mi
- Carmel, IN radar 11 mi
- Beech Grove, IN radar 12 mi