Benham, KY Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Benham, Harlan County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for BenhamWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Benham?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 92 days in the Harlan forecast zone and Harlan County — the most common reported hazard around Benham, mostly in July and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (82 days) and flash flooding (26 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds92May 2025Feb 21, 1997 · 2 deaths · $10,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms82Feb 2026Jan 27, 1998 · $20,000 damage
Flash flooding26Jul 2022Apr 17, 2013 · $1.0 million damage
Flooding20Mar 2021Feb 6, 2020 · $5.0 million damage
High winds10Sep 2024Oct 17, 2006 · $150,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet4Feb 2021—
Debris flows2Apr 2003—
Excessive heat2Aug 2010—

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 Harlan forecast zone and Harlan County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Benham get?

A normal year brings about 35 inches of snow to Benham, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Closplint 4 Ese weather station 6.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.3 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.11.07.79.38.46.51.60.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Benham?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KJKL (Jackson, KY), about 48 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over BenhamView
KJKL
Jackson, KY		48 mi north-northwest3,300 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KMRX
Knoxville, TN		60 mi south-southwest4,600 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KRLX
Charleston, WV		115 mi northeast11,900 ftLimited — 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 Benham

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 18 tornadoes within 25 miles of Benham, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an EF2 on May 8, 2009, which touched down about 23 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 16, 2023, which touched down about 17 miles south-southwest of town.

Hail: 142 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on April 23, 1968.

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 Benham'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.

Benham radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Benham, KY?

KJKL (Jackson, KY), about 48 miles north-northwest. KMRX (Knoxville, TN) is 60 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Benham?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Benham the lowest scan from KJKL is about 3,300 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Benham 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 Benham, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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