Betsy Layne, KY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Betsy Layne, Floyd County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Betsy Layne?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 112 days in the Floyd forecast zone and Floyd County — the most common reported hazard around Betsy Layne, mostly in June and May. Next come flash flooding (65 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (46 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 112 | Mar 2026 | May 29, 2019 · 1 death · $165,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 65 | May 2025 | Aug 3, 2001 · $7.6 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 46 | Mar 2026 | Jan 5, 2025 · $4,000 damage |
| Flooding | 45 | Jan 2025 | May 31, 2004 · $4.0 million damage |
| High winds | 8 | Sep 2024 | Apr 1, 2023 · $49,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Aug 2010 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Feb 2021 | — |
| Debris flows | 4 | Mar 2021 | Mar 18, 2021 · $5,000 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 Floyd forecast zone and Floyd County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Betsy Layne get?
A normal year brings about 1.4 inches of snow to Betsy Layne, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Pikeville Ksp Post 9 weather station 2.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 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 Betsy Layne?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KJKL (Jackson, KY), about 38 miles west. 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 Betsy Layne | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 38 mi west | 2,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 72 mi northeast | 5,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 105 mi south-southwest | 10,300 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 Betsy Layne
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 6 tornadoes within 25 miles of Betsy Layne, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF3 on March 2, 2012, which passed about 17 miles north of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on October 7, 2014, which touched down about 5 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 211 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 20 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on April 29, 2014.
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 Betsy Layne'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.
Betsy Layne radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Betsy Layne, KY?
KJKL (Jackson, KY), about 38 miles west. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 72 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Betsy Layne?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Betsy Layne the lowest scan from KJKL is about 2,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Betsy Layne 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 Betsy Layne, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Coal Run Village, KY radar 4 mi
- Pikeville, KY radar 7 mi
- Prestonsburg, KY radar 12 mi
- Wheelwright, KY radar 16 mi
- Paintsville, KY radar 21 mi
- Jenkins, KY radar 26 mi
- Salyersville, KY radar 27 mi
- Whitesburg, KY radar 32 mi
- Hazard, KY radar 37 mi
- Louisa, KY radar 39 mi