Roanoke, LA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Roanoke, Jefferson Davis County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Roanoke?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 83 days in the Northern Jefferson Davis forecast zone and Jefferson Davis County — the most common reported hazard around Roanoke, mostly in August and April. Next come flash flooding (29 days) and lightning casualties & damage (7 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 83 | Feb 2026 | Oct 13, 2001 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 29 | Jun 2026 | Aug 13, 2016 · $15 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Aug 2010 | Aug 13, 2010 · $250,000 damage |
| Flooding | 5 | Aug 2016 | Aug 14, 2016 · $50 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Aug 2023 | — |
| 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 Northern Jefferson Davis forecast zone and Jefferson Davis County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Roanoke?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLCH (Lake Charles, LA), about 29 miles west-southwest. 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 Roanoke | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLCH Lake Charles, LA | 29 mi west-southwest | 1,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KPOE Fort Polk, LA | 65 mi north-northwest | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KHDC Hammond, LA | 141 mi east | 16,400 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 Roanoke
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 152 tornadoes within 25 miles of Roanoke, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in October and May. The strongest was an F3 on October 29, 1974, which passed about 9 miles southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on November 5, 2024, which touched down about 18 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 74 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 26, 2001.
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 Roanoke'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.
Roanoke radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Roanoke, LA?
KLCH (Lake Charles, LA), about 29 miles west-southwest. KPOE (Fort Polk, LA) is 65 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Roanoke?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Roanoke the lowest scan from KLCH is about 1,800 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Roanoke 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 Roanoke, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Welsh, LA radar 4 mi
- Jennings, LA radar 5 mi
- Lake Arthur, LA radar 12 mi
- Iowa, LA radar 16 mi
- Iota, LA radar 16 mi
- Kinder, LA radar 18 mi
- Basile, LA radar 19 mi
- Gueydan, LA radar 20 mi
- Crowley, LA radar 22 mi
- Oberlin, LA radar 26 mi