Rio, LA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rio, Washington County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rio?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 91 days in the Washington forecast zone and Washington County — the most common reported hazard around Rio, mostly in June and April. Next come excessive heat (23 days) and flash flooding (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 91 | Feb 2026 | Aug 31, 1997 · 1 death · $35,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 23 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 19 | Jun 2026 | Dec 30, 2006 · 1 death |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 11 | Sep 2024 | Aug 28, 2005 · 2 deaths · $1.9 billion damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 7 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 5 | Aug 2016 | Aug 12, 2016 · $1.3 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Jun 2004 | Jul 7, 2002 · $2,000 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 Washington forecast zone and Washington County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Rio?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLIX (New Orleans, LA), about 25 miles south. 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 Rio | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLIX New Orleans, LA | 25 mi south | 1,400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KHDC Hammond, LA | 33 mi west-southwest | 2,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMOB Mobile, AL | 98 mi east | 9,300 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 Rio
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 130 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rio, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and November. The strongest was an EF3 on December 25, 2012, which passed about 13 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on March 15, 2025, which passed about 20 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 119 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 24, 1988.
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 Rio'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.
Rio radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rio, LA?
KLIX (New Orleans, LA), about 25 miles south. KHDC (Hammond, LA) is 33 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rio?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rio the lowest scan from KLIX is about 1,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rio 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 Rio, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Bogalusa, LA radar 6 mi
- Abita Springs, LA radar 17 mi
- Franklinton, LA radar 19 mi
- Covington, LA radar 20 mi
- Pearl River, LA radar 24 mi
- Mandeville, LA radar 25 mi
- Slidell, LA radar 29 mi
- Hammond, LA radar 36 mi
- Independence, LA radar 37 mi
- Ponchatoula, LA radar 37 mi