Mount Vernon, KY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Mount Vernon, Rockcastle County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Mount Vernon?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 106 days in the Rockcastle forecast zone and Rockcastle County — the most common reported hazard around Mount Vernon, mostly in July and May. Next come flash flooding (30 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (25 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 106 | Mar 2026 | Apr 8, 2020 · $260,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 30 | Apr 2025 | Jan 1, 2022 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 25 | Jan 2026 | Dec 4, 2002 · $1,000 damage |
| Flooding | 22 | Jan 2022 | Dec 6, 2013 · $2,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Feb 2021 | — |
| High winds | 5 | Sep 2024 | Mar 31, 2022 · $5,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Aug 2010 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | May 2025 | Jun 18, 2011 · $250,000 damage |
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 Rockcastle forecast zone and Rockcastle County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Mount Vernon get?
A normal year brings about 11 inches of snow to Mount Vernon, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mt Vernon weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (4.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.6 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 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 Mount Vernon?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KJKL (Jackson, KY), about 58 miles east-northeast. 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 Mount Vernon | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 58 mi east-northeast | 4,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 97 mi south-southeast | 9,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLVX Louisville, KY | 98 mi west-northwest | 9,300 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 Mount Vernon
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 67 tornadoes within 25 miles of Mount Vernon, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF4 on May 16, 2025, which passed about 20 miles south of town and caused 18 deaths.
Hail: 232 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 33 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 1, 2002.
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 Mount Vernon'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.
Mount Vernon radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Mount Vernon, KY?
KJKL (Jackson, KY), about 58 miles east-northeast. KMRX (Knoxville, TN) is 97 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Mount Vernon?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Mount Vernon the lowest scan from KJKL is about 4,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Mount Vernon 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 Mount Vernon, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Brodhead, KY radar 6 mi
- Berea, KY radar 16 mi
- Stanford, KY radar 21 mi
- London, KY radar 22 mi
- Lancaster, KY radar 23 mi
- Somerset, KY radar 24 mi
- Richmond, KY radar 26 mi
- Junction City, KY radar 30 mi
- Irvine, KY radar 31 mi
- Danville, KY radar 31 mi