Echo, LA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Echo, Rapides County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Echo?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 157 days in the Rapides forecast zone and Rapides County — the most common reported hazard around Echo, mostly in June and April. Next come flash flooding (46 days) and lightning casualties & damage (10 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 157 | Jun 2026 | Apr 10, 2024 · 1 death · $15,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 46 | Jun 2026 | Aug 13, 2016 · 1 death · $500,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | Aug 2025 | Jul 10, 2016 · 1 death |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 9 | Oct 2020 | Aug 26, 2020 · 3 deaths · $500 million damage |
| Flooding | 7 | Mar 2016 | Jan 10, 2013 · $33 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 6 | Jan 2025 | Jan 1, 2001 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Sep 2023 | Jun 21, 2010 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2021 | Feb 3, 2011 · $1.0 million 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 Rapides forecast zone and Rapides County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Echo?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPOE (Fort Polk, LA), about 44 miles west. 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 Echo | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPOE Fort Polk, LA | 44 mi west | 3,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLCH Lake Charles, LA | 89 mi southwest | 8,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KHDC Hammond, LA | 116 mi east-southeast | 12,100 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 Echo
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 130 tornadoes within 25 miles of Echo, 35 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in December and April. The strongest was an F3 on November 7, 1957, which passed about 19 miles northwest of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on December 28, 2024, which passed about 18 miles south of town.
Hail: 128 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 16 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-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 Echo'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.
Echo radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Echo, LA?
KPOE (Fort Polk, LA), about 44 miles west. KLCH (Lake Charles, LA) is 89 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Echo?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Echo the lowest scan from KPOE is about 3,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Echo 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 Echo, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Marksville, LA radar 10 mi
- Bunkie, LA radar 11 mi
- Mansura, LA radar 11 mi
- Cottonport, LA radar 14 mi
- Woodworth, LA radar 17 mi
- Alexandria, LA radar 19 mi
- Pineville, LA radar 19 mi
- Glenmora, LA radar 22 mi
- Ball, LA radar 24 mi
- Pine Prairie, LA radar 25 mi