Barlow, KY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Barlow, Ballard County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Barlow?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 102 days in the Ballard forecast zone and Ballard County — the most common reported hazard around Barlow, mostly in July and June. Next come excessive heat (86 days) and flooding (65 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 102 | Apr 2026 | Mar 1, 2017 · $225,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 86 | Aug 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 65 | Mar 2025 | Mar 2, 1997 · $25 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 40 | Jan 2026 | Feb 11, 2008 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 32 | Feb 2025 | Dec 21, 2013 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Dec 2023 | Jan 26, 2009 · $10 million damage |
| High winds | 7 | Feb 2009 | Sep 14, 2008 · $8.0 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 Ballard forecast zone and Ballard County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Barlow get?
A normal year brings about 7.2 inches of snow to Barlow, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Grand Chain Dam 53 weather station 10.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (2.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 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 Barlow?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPAH (Paducah, KY), about 15 miles east. 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 Barlow | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPAH Paducah, KY | 15 mi east | 800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KHPX Fort Campbell, KY | 100 mi east-southeast | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KVWX Evansville, IN | 110 mi northeast | 11,200 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 Barlow
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 117 tornadoes within 25 miles of Barlow, 36 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 6, 2003, which passed about 15 miles north of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on April 2, 2025, which passed about 10 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 217 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 16 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 16, 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 Barlow'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.
Barlow radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Barlow, KY?
KPAH (Paducah, KY), about 15 miles east. KHPX (Fort Campbell, KY) is 100 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Barlow?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Barlow the lowest scan from KPAH is about 800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Barlow 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 Barlow, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Paducah, KY radar 22 mi
- Clinton, KY radar 27 mi
- Mayfield, KY radar 31 mi
- Hickman, KY radar 34 mi
- Calvert City, KY radar 36 mi
- Fulton, KY radar 38 mi
- Benton, KY radar 40 mi
- Murray, KY radar 50 mi
- Eddyville, KY radar 54 mi
- Marion, KY radar 56 mi