Frankfort, KY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Frankfort, Franklin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Frankfort?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 77 days in the Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County — the most common reported hazard around Frankfort, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (29 days) and flash flooding (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 77 | Jun 2025 | Mar 1, 2017 · $150,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 29 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 28 | Apr 2025 | Aug 22, 2003 · 2 deaths · $3.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 18 | Nov 2018 | Mar 2, 1997 · 1 death · $6.5 million damage |
| High winds | 9 | Sep 2024 | Dec 24, 1997 · $10,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Feb 2008 | Feb 15, 2003 · $100,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Apr 2016 | Mar 23, 2011 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 1 | Jan 2010 | Jan 26, 2010 · 1 death |
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 Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Frankfort?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLVX (Louisville, KY), about 61 miles west-southwest. 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 Frankfort | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLVX Louisville, KY | 61 mi west-southwest | 4,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 94 mi east-southeast | 8,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 102 mi north-northeast | 9,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Frankfort
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 86 tornadoes within 25 miles of Frankfort, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an F4 on April 3, 1974, which crossed near town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 3, 2025, which touched down about 7 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 214 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 10, 1966.
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 Frankfort'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.
Frankfort radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Frankfort, KY?
KLVX (Louisville, KY), about 61 miles west-southwest. KJKL (Jackson, KY) is 94 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Frankfort?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Frankfort the lowest scan from KLVX is about 4,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Frankfort 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 Frankfort, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Midway, KY radar 10 mi
- Lawrenceburg, KY radar 11 mi
- Versailles, KY radar 13 mi
- Georgetown, KY radar 19 mi
- Shelbyville, KY radar 20 mi
- Eminence, KY radar 21 mi
- Owenton, KY radar 24 mi
- Wilmore, KY radar 25 mi
- Lexington-Fayette, KY radar 25 mi
- Simpsonville, KY radar 26 mi