Chaplin, KY Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for ChaplinWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Chaplin?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 114 days in the Nelson forecast zone and Nelson County — the most common reported hazard around Chaplin, mostly in July and June. Next come flooding (61 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (30 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds114Jun 2026Jul 7, 2015 · $100,000 damage
Flooding61Jun 2025Dec 21, 2013 · 3 deaths · $15,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms30Jan 2026Jan 27, 2009 · 1 death
Flash flooding19Jun 2026Apr 5, 2025 · 1 death · $10,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet6Feb 2021Feb 15, 2003 · $100,000 damage
High winds5Sep 2024—
Lightning casualties & damage3May 2016Aug 24, 2000 · 2 deaths · $25,000 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 Nelson forecast zone and Nelson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Chaplin get?

A normal year brings about 12 inches of snow to Chaplin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bardstown 5E weather station 10.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.2 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.00.22.54.23.71.30.00.0

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

Which radars cover Chaplin?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLVX (Louisville, KY), about 40 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over ChaplinView
KLVX
Louisville, KY		40 mi west2,600 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KJKL
Jackson, KY		106 mi east10,600 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KILN
Wilmington, OH		129 mi northeast14,300 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 Chaplin

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 80 tornadoes within 25 miles of Chaplin, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 3, 1974, which passed about 13 miles northeast of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on May 30, 2025, which passed about 18 miles south-southeast of town.

Hail: 206 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 1, 2002.

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 Chaplin'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.

Chaplin radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Chaplin, KY?

KLVX (Louisville, KY), about 40 miles west. KJKL (Jackson, KY) is 106 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Chaplin?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Chaplin the lowest scan from KLVX is about 2,600 ft up.

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

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