Starks, LA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Starks, Calcasieu County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Starks?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 185 days in the Northern Calcasieu forecast zone and Calcasieu County — the most common reported hazard around Starks, mostly in May and June. Next come flash flooding (98 days) and flooding (17 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 185 | May 2026 | Jul 20, 2012 · 2 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 98 | Jun 2026 | May 17, 2021 · 1 death · $500 million damage |
| Flooding | 17 | Mar 2016 | Mar 10, 2016 · $50 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Jul 2024 | Dec 29, 1996 · 1 death · $50,000 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 Calcasieu forecast zone and Calcasieu County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Starks?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLCH (Lake Charles, LA), about 30 miles east-southeast. 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 Starks | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLCH Lake Charles, LA | 30 mi east-southeast | 1,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KPOE Fort Polk, LA | 71 mi northeast | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KHGX Houston, TX | 103 mi southwest | 10,000 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 Starks
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 124 tornadoes within 25 miles of Starks, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in October and May. The strongest was an F4 on November 7, 1957, which passed about 15 miles south-southwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on October 25, 2025, which touched down about 20 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 115 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 9, 2019.
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 Starks'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.
Starks radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Starks, LA?
KLCH (Lake Charles, LA), about 30 miles east-southeast. KPOE (Fort Polk, LA) is 71 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Starks?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Starks 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 Starks 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 Starks, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Vinton, LA radar 9 mi
- DeQuincy, LA radar 16 mi
- Sulphur, LA radar 19 mi
- Westlake, LA radar 24 mi
- Lake Charles, LA radar 28 mi
- Iowa, LA radar 39 mi
- DeRidder, LA radar 43 mi
- Rosepine, LA radar 48 mi
- Kinder, LA radar 50 mi
- Welsh, LA radar 51 mi