Ashland, KY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ashland, Boyd County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ashland?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 72 days in the Boyd forecast zone and Boyd County — the most common reported hazard around Ashland, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (47 days) and flash flooding (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 72 | Mar 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 47 | Apr 2025 | Mar 5, 2004 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 42 | Jun 2025 | Jul 31, 1996 · $3.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 29 | Jan 2026 | Feb 17, 2021 · 2 deaths · $10,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 28 | Jan 2026 | Jan 27, 2014 · $500,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 22 | Jul 2017 | Jul 22, 2017 · 1 death |
| High winds | 7 | Apr 2023 | Mar 9, 2002 · $15,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Feb 2021 | Feb 16, 2003 · $250,000 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 Boyd forecast zone and Boyd County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ashland get?
A normal year brings about 6.2 inches of snow to Ashland, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the S Pt weather station 3.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (3.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 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 Ashland?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 51 miles east-southeast. 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 Ashland | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 51 mi east-southeast | 3,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 70 mi south-southwest | 5,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 92 mi northwest | 8,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Ashland
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 32 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ashland, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an F5 on April 23, 1968, which passed about 18 miles north-northwest of town and caused 7 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 2, 2024, which passed about 7 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 211 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 April 14, 2025.
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 Ashland'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.
Ashland radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ashland, KY?
KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 51 miles east-southeast. KJKL (Jackson, KY) is 70 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ashland?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ashland the lowest scan from KRLX is about 3,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ashland 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 Ashland, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Catlettsburg, KY radar 4 mi
- Russell, KY radar 5 mi
- Flatwoods, KY radar 6 mi
- Raceland, KY radar 7 mi
- Worthington, KY radar 8 mi
- Greenup, KY radar 12 mi
- Grayson, KY radar 18 mi
- Louisa, KY radar 24 mi
- South Shore, KY radar 25 mi
- Olive Hill, KY radar 30 mi