Lynch, KY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lynch, Harlan County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lynch?
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 Lynch, 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 Lynch get?
A normal year brings about 35 inches of snow to Lynch, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Closplint 4 Ese weather station 8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.0 | 7.7 | 9.3 | 8.4 | 6.5 | 1.6 | 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 Lynch?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KJKL (Jackson, KY), about 49 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 Lynch | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 49 mi north-northwest | 3,400 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 | 114 mi northeast | 11,700 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 Lynch
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 17 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lynch, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an EF2 on May 8, 2009, which touched down about 21 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 16, 2023, which touched down about 18 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 123 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 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 Lynch'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.
Lynch radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lynch, KY?
KJKL (Jackson, KY), about 49 miles north-northwest. KMRX (Knoxville, TN) is 61 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lynch?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lynch the lowest scan from KJKL is about 3,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lynch 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 Lynch, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Cumberland, KY radar 5 mi
- Whitesburg, KY radar 12 mi
- Jenkins, KY radar 20 mi
- Harlan, KY radar 24 mi
- Hazard, KY radar 26 mi
- Wheelwright, KY radar 28 mi
- Pikeville, KY radar 41 mi
- Coal Run Village, KY radar 44 mi
- Pineville, KY radar 46 mi
- Manchester, KY radar 49 mi