Ponchatoula, LA Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Ponchatoula, Tangipahoa County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

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What weather hits Ponchatoula?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 144 days in the Lower Tangipahoa forecast zone and Tangipahoa County — the most common reported hazard around Ponchatoula, mostly in April and June. Next come excessive heat (27 days) and flash flooding (21 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds144May 2026Jan 19, 2001 · $70,000 damage
Excessive heat27Jul 2025—
Flash flooding21May 2026Aug 12, 2016 · 2 deaths · $629 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage19Mar 2026Apr 11, 2012 · 2 deaths
Flooding6Aug 2016Aug 13, 2016 · 1 death · $315 million damage
Storm surge2Sep 2024—
Extreme cold & wind chill2Jan 2026—
Hurricanes & tropical storms1Sep 2024Sep 11, 2024 · $10,000 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 Lower Tangipahoa forecast zone and Tangipahoa County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Ponchatoula?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHDC (Hammond, LA), about 6 miles north-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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over PonchatoulaView
KHDC
Hammond, LA		6 mi north-northeast300 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KLIX
New Orleans, LA		38 mi east2,400 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KDGX
Jackson, MS		130 mi north-northeast14,400 ftLimited — 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 Ponchatoula

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 133 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ponchatoula, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and April. The strongest was an F4 on December 6, 1983, which passed about 25 miles south of town. The most recent was an EF0 on October 26, 2025, which touched down about 16 miles southwest of town.

Hail: 106 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on January 21, 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 Ponchatoula'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.

Ponchatoula radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Ponchatoula, LA?

KHDC (Hammond, LA), about 6 miles north-northeast. KLIX (New Orleans, LA) is 38 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Ponchatoula?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Ponchatoula the lowest scan from KHDC is about 300 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

Is TALON's radar for Ponchatoula 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 Ponchatoula, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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