Columbia, KY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Columbia, Adair County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Columbia?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 96 days in the Adair forecast zone and Adair County — the most common reported hazard around Columbia, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (23 days) and flash flooding (17 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 96 | Apr 2026 | Mar 20, 2004 · $60,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 23 | Jan 2026 | Jan 24, 2026 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 17 | Apr 2025 | May 2, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 6 | Dec 2015 | Dec 8, 2009 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| High winds | 4 | Mar 2023 | Jan 18, 1996 · $10,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 1 | Feb 2021 | — |
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 Adair forecast zone and Adair County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Columbia?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLVX (Louisville, KY), about 70 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Columbia | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLVX Louisville, KY | 70 mi north-northwest | 5,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOHX Nashville, TN | 91 mi southwest | 8,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KHPX Fort Campbell, KY | 112 mi west-southwest | 11,500 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 Columbia
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 76 tornadoes within 25 miles of Columbia, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF4 on May 16, 2025, which passed about 16 miles east-southeast of town and caused 18 deaths.
Hail: 195 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on July 13, 2015.
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 Columbia'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.
Columbia radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Columbia, KY?
KLVX (Louisville, KY), about 70 miles north-northwest. KOHX (Nashville, TN) is 91 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Columbia?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Columbia the lowest scan from KLVX is about 5,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Columbia 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 Columbia, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Russell Springs, KY radar 13 mi
- Greensburg, KY radar 15 mi
- Jamestown, KY radar 16 mi
- Campbellsville, KY radar 17 mi
- Edmonton, KY radar 19 mi
- Burkesville, KY radar 22 mi
- Liberty, KY radar 26 mi
- Albany, KY radar 30 mi
- Monticello, KY radar 31 mi
- Lebanon, KY radar 32 mi