Whitley City, KY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Whitley City, McCreary County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Whitley City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 100 days in the McCreary forecast zone and McCreary County — the most common reported hazard around Whitley City, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (28 days) and flash flooding (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 100 | Aug 2024 | Sep 6, 2018 · $2.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 28 | Jan 2026 | Feb 3, 1998 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 20 | Jun 2020 | Mar 17, 2002 · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 16 | Mar 2021 | Feb 5, 2020 · $70,000 damage |
| High winds | 7 | Sep 2024 | Jan 9, 2008 · $30,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Feb 2021 | — |
| Excessive heat | 3 | Aug 2010 | — |
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 McCreary forecast zone and McCreary County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Whitley City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 71 miles east-southeast. 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 Whitley City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 71 mi east-southeast | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 88 mi northeast | 7,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLVX Louisville, KY | 118 mi northwest | 12,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
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 Whitley City
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 33 tornadoes within 25 miles of Whitley City, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an EF4 on May 16, 2025, which passed about 23 miles north of town and caused 18 deaths.
Hail: 159 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 18 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on April 28, 1959.
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 Whitley City'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.
Whitley City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Whitley City, KY?
KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 71 miles east-southeast. KJKL (Jackson, KY) is 88 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Whitley City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Whitley City the lowest scan from KMRX is about 5,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Whitley City 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 Whitley City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Williamsburg, KY radar 17 mi
- Monticello, KY radar 22 mi
- Corbin, KY radar 25 mi
- Somerset, KY radar 26 mi
- Barbourville, KY radar 34 mi
- London, KY radar 34 mi
- Albany, KY radar 37 mi
- Jamestown, KY radar 37 mi
- Russell Springs, KY radar 40 mi
- Middlesborough, KY radar 42 mi