Clay City, KY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Clay City, Powell County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Clay City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 123 days in the Powell forecast zone and Powell County — the most common reported hazard around Clay City, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (39 days) and flooding (38 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 123 | Mar 2026 | Apr 3, 2015 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 39 | Aug 2022 | Jun 16, 1997 · $5.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 38 | Jan 2025 | May 31, 2004 · $4.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 29 | Jan 2025 | Jan 5, 2025 · $8,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Feb 2022 | — |
| High winds | 6 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $33,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 6 | Aug 2010 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | May 2017 | Feb 28, 2017 · $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 Powell forecast zone and Powell County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Clay City get?
A normal year brings about 6.2 inches of snow to Clay City, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Clay City 1 Wnw weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (2.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 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 Clay City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KJKL (Jackson, KY), about 39 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 Clay City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 39 mi east-southeast | 2,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 108 mi north | 10,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLVX Louisville, KY | 110 mi west | 11,100 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 Clay City
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 54 tornadoes within 25 miles of Clay City, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an F4 on April 3, 1974, which passed about 14 miles northwest of town and caused 7 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 2, 2024, which passed about 17 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 195 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 16 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on March 2, 2012.
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 Clay City'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.
Clay City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Clay City, KY?
KJKL (Jackson, KY), about 39 miles east-southeast. KILN (Wilmington, OH) is 108 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Clay City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Clay City the lowest scan from KJKL is about 2,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Clay City 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 Clay City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Stanton, KY radar 4 mi
- Jeffersonville, KY radar 9 mi
- Camargo, KY radar 10 mi
- Irvine, KY radar 12 mi
- Mount Sterling, KY radar 14 mi
- Winchester, KY radar 17 mi
- Owingsville, KY radar 21 mi
- Richmond, KY radar 22 mi
- Beattyville, KY radar 23 mi
- Berea, KY radar 27 mi