Union, KY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Union, Boone County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Union?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 112 days in the Boone forecast zone and Boone County — the most common reported hazard around Union, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (49 days) and flash flooding (35 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 112 | Jun 2026 | Mar 2, 2017 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Jan 2026 | Jan 6, 1996 · $400,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 35 | Jul 2023 | Jun 30, 1996 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 27 | Apr 2025 | Jan 23, 1996 · $20,000 damage |
| High winds | 11 | Sep 2024 | Sep 14, 2008 · $13 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Aug 2023 | Jul 20, 1999 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Nov 2018 | Dec 13, 2000 · $25,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Jul 2020 | May 8, 1996 · $100,000 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 Boone forecast zone and Boone County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Union get?
A normal year brings about 23 inches of snow to Union, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cincinnati Northern Ky Ap weather station 6.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.8 | 4.1 | 7.7 | 6.7 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 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 Union?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILN (Wilmington, OH), about 56 miles 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 Union | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 56 mi northeast | 4,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLVX Louisville, KY | 96 mi southwest | 9,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 101 mi west-northwest | 9,700 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 Union
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 78 tornadoes within 25 miles of Union, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an F5 on April 3, 1974, which passed about 10 miles northwest of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 20, 2025, which touched down about 13 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 283 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 30 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on October 19, 2016.
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 Union'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.
Union radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Union, KY?
KILN (Wilmington, OH), about 56 miles northeast. KLVX (Louisville, KY) is 96 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Union?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Union the lowest scan from KILN is about 4,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Union 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 Union, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.