Cumberland, KY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cumberland, Harlan County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cumberland?
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 Cumberland, mostly in July and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (82 days) and flash flooding (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 92 | May 2025 | Feb 21, 1997 · 2 deaths · $10,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 82 | Feb 2026 | Jan 27, 1998 · $20,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 26 | Jul 2022 | Apr 17, 2013 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 20 | Mar 2021 | Feb 6, 2020 · $5.0 million damage |
| High winds | 10 | Sep 2024 | Oct 17, 2006 · $150,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2021 | — |
| Debris flows | 2 | Apr 2003 | — |
| Excessive heat | 2 | Aug 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 Cumberland get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Cumberland, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Skyline 1 Se weather station 6.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.3 | 3.6 | 5.3 | 4.2 | 3.1 | 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 Cumberland?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KJKL (Jackson, KY), about 45 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 Cumberland | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 45 mi north-northwest | 3,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 61 mi south-southwest | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 115 mi northeast | 11,900 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 Cumberland
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 16 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cumberland. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F1 on April 5, 1957, which touched down about 15 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 16, 2023, which touched down about 18 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 164 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 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 Cumberland'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.
Cumberland radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cumberland, KY?
KJKL (Jackson, KY), about 45 miles north-northwest. KMRX (Knoxville, TN) is 61 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cumberland?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cumberland the lowest scan from KJKL is about 3,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Cumberland 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 Cumberland, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Whitesburg, KY radar 13 mi
- Harlan, KY radar 21 mi
- Hazard, KY radar 22 mi
- Jenkins, KY radar 23 mi
- Wheelwright, KY radar 29 mi
- Pikeville, KY radar 43 mi
- Pineville, KY radar 43 mi
- Manchester, KY radar 44 mi
- Coal Run Village, KY radar 45 mi
- Jackson, KY radar 45 mi