Donaldsonville, LA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Donaldsonville, Ascension County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Donaldsonville?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 61 days in the Western Ascension forecast zone and Ascension County — the most common reported hazard around Donaldsonville, mostly in April and July. Next come excessive heat (27 days) and flash flooding (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 61 | Feb 2026 | Feb 15, 2026 · $500,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 27 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 20 | Jul 2025 | May 28, 2014 · 1 death · $200,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Jun 2016 | Apr 30, 2004 · $3,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | Aug 2016 | Aug 13, 2016 · $1.1 billion damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 2 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 1 | Sep 2024 | Sep 11, 2024 · $62,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 1 | Jan 2025 | — |
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 Western Ascension forecast zone and Ascension County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Donaldsonville?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHDC (Hammond, LA), about 46 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 Donaldsonville | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHDC Hammond, LA | 46 mi northeast | 3,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLIX New Orleans, LA | 72 mi east-northeast | 5,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLCH Lake Charles, LA | 133 mi west | 15,000 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 Donaldsonville
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 107 tornadoes within 25 miles of Donaldsonville, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F3 on August 25, 1992, which passed about 22 miles east of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on October 26, 2025, which touched down about 24 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 123 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.75-inch hail on June 20, 2023.
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 Donaldsonville'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.
Donaldsonville radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Donaldsonville, LA?
KHDC (Hammond, LA), about 46 miles northeast. KLIX (New Orleans, LA) is 72 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Donaldsonville?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Donaldsonville the lowest scan from KHDC is about 3,100 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Donaldsonville 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 Donaldsonville, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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