Sparta, KY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sparta, Gallatin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sparta?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 56 days in the Gallatin forecast zone and Gallatin County — the most common reported hazard around Sparta, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (35 days) and flash flooding (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 56 | Jun 2026 | Nov 10, 2002 · $375,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 35 | Feb 2026 | Jan 6, 1996 · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 26 | Aug 2022 | Mar 1, 1997 · 1 death · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 22 | May 2024 | Jan 23, 1996 · $20,000 damage |
| High winds | 8 | Sep 2024 | Sep 14, 2008 · $957,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Nov 2018 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 2 | Dec 2022 | Feb 1, 1996 · $20,000 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 Gallatin forecast zone and Gallatin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sparta get?
A normal year brings about 6.5 inches of snow to Sparta, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Warsaw Markland Dam weather station 6.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (2.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 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 Sparta?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLVX (Louisville, KY), about 75 miles 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 Sparta | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLVX Louisville, KY | 75 mi southwest | 6,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 77 mi northeast | 6,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 102 mi northwest | 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 Sparta
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 74 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sparta, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an F5 on April 3, 1974, which passed about 19 miles north of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 20, 2025, which touched down about 10 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 150 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 26 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-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 Sparta'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.
Sparta radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sparta, KY?
KLVX (Louisville, KY), about 75 miles southwest. KILN (Wilmington, OH) is 77 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sparta?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sparta the lowest scan from KLVX is about 6,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Sparta 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 Sparta, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Warsaw, KY radar 6 mi
- Owenton, KY radar 11 mi
- Carrollton, KY radar 14 mi
- Dry Ridge, KY radar 17 mi
- Crittenden, KY radar 18 mi
- Williamstown, KY radar 18 mi
- Walton, KY radar 19 mi
- Union, KY radar 21 mi
- Florence, KY radar 25 mi
- Elsmere, KY radar 26 mi