Rochester, KY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rochester, Butler County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rochester?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 90 days in the Butler forecast zone and Butler County — the most common reported hazard around Rochester, mostly in July and June. Next come flooding (80 days) and flash flooding (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 90 | Jun 2026 | Feb 24, 2018 · $25,000 damage |
| Flooding | 80 | Feb 2018 | Mar 1, 1997 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 26 | Jun 2026 | Dec 23, 2015 · $75,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 22 | Jan 2026 | Dec 22, 2004 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 3 | Mar 2023 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Feb 2021 | — |
| Blizzards | 1 | Jan 2016 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Jul 2020 | Jul 12, 2020 · $200,000 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 Butler forecast zone and Butler County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rochester get?
A normal year brings about 4.4 inches of snow to Rochester, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rochester Ferry weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (1.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 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 Rochester?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHPX (Fort Campbell, KY), about 39 miles south-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 Rochester | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHPX Fort Campbell, KY | 39 mi south-southwest | 2,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOHX Nashville, TN | 69 mi south-southeast | 5,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLVX Louisville, KY | 74 mi northeast | 6,200 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 Rochester
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 60 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rochester, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF4 on December 10, 2021, which passed about 14 miles north-northwest of town and caused 57 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on May 16, 2025, which passed about 25 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 164 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 24, 1995.
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 Rochester'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.
Rochester radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rochester, KY?
KHPX (Fort Campbell, KY), about 39 miles south-southwest. KOHX (Nashville, TN) is 69 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rochester?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rochester the lowest scan from KHPX is about 2,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rochester 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 Rochester, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Morgantown, KY radar 11 mi
- Beaver Dam, KY radar 14 mi
- Central City, KY radar 14 mi
- Greenville, KY radar 16 mi
- Hartford, KY radar 17 mi
- Livermore, KY radar 24 mi
- Russellville, KY radar 26 mi
- Auburn, KY radar 26 mi
- Bowling Green, KY radar 30 mi
- Elkton, KY radar 31 mi