Melville, LA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Melville, St. Landry County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Melville?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 105 days in the St. Landry forecast zone and St. Landry County — the most common reported hazard around Melville, mostly in April and May. Next come flash flooding (37 days) and flooding (11 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 105 | May 2026 | Jun 9, 2015 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 37 | Jun 2026 | Aug 12, 2016 · $30 million damage |
| Flooding | 11 | Jun 2026 | Jan 10, 2013 · $42 million damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 8 | Oct 2020 | Sep 1, 2008 · $125 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 6 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | May 2013 | Aug 1, 2001 · $75,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 3 | Aug 2023 | — |
| High winds | 3 | Oct 2009 | Dec 16, 2000 · 2 deaths · $50,000 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 St. Landry forecast zone and St. Landry County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Melville?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPOE (Fort Polk, LA), about 79 miles west-northwest. 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 Melville | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPOE Fort Polk, LA | 79 mi west-northwest | 6,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KHDC Hammond, LA | 81 mi east | 7,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLCH Lake Charles, LA | 96 mi west-southwest | 9,000 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 Melville
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 94 tornadoes within 25 miles of Melville, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and February. The strongest was an F3 on October 15, 1957, which passed about 8 miles south-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF2 on March 31, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles west of town.
Hail: 79 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 14, 2008.
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 Melville'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.
Melville radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Melville, LA?
KPOE (Fort Polk, LA), about 79 miles west-northwest. KHDC (Hammond, LA) is 81 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Melville?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Melville the lowest scan from KPOE is about 6,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Melville 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 Melville, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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