Morehead, KY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Morehead, Rowan County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Morehead?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 89 days in the Rowan forecast zone and Rowan County — the most common reported hazard around Morehead, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (38 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (36 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 89 | May 2025 | Jun 2, 2009 · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 38 | May 2022 | May 14, 2022 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 36 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 15 | Dec 2019 | Sep 9, 2018 · 1 death · $200,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Feb 2022 | Feb 2, 2019 · $80,000 damage |
| High winds | 11 | Dec 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $23,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Aug 2010 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Apr 2006 | Aug 8, 2000 · 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 Rowan forecast zone and Rowan County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Morehead get?
A normal year brings about 6.5 inches of snow to Morehead, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Morehead State Police weather station 1 mile away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 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 Morehead?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KJKL (Jackson, KY), about 42 miles south. 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 Morehead | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 42 mi south | 2,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 87 mi north-northwest | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 94 mi east | 8,800 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 Morehead
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 26 tornadoes within 25 miles of Morehead, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an EF3 on March 2, 2012, which passed about 18 miles south of town and caused 10 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on April 2, 2024, which touched down about 21 miles west of town.
Hail: 140 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-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 Morehead'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.
Morehead radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Morehead, KY?
KJKL (Jackson, KY), about 42 miles south. KILN (Wilmington, OH) is 87 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Morehead?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Morehead the lowest scan from KJKL is about 2,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Morehead 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 Morehead, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Owingsville, KY radar 17 mi
- Olive Hill, KY radar 17 mi
- West Liberty, KY radar 21 mi
- Flemingsburg, KY radar 23 mi
- Jeffersonville, KY radar 27 mi
- Camargo, KY radar 27 mi
- Mount Sterling, KY radar 28 mi
- Vanceburg, KY radar 29 mi
- Grayson, KY radar 30 mi
- Stanton, KY radar 32 mi