Start, LA Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for StartWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Start?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 107 days in the Richland forecast zone and Richland County — the most common reported hazard around Start, mostly in April and June. Next come flash flooding (40 days) and ice storms & sleet (10 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds107Apr 2026Dec 25, 2012 · 1 death · $25,000 damage
Flash flooding40May 2026Sep 3, 2008 · $41 million damage
Ice storms & sleet10Jan 2026Dec 22, 1998 · $600,000 damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms6Oct 2020Aug 29, 2005 · $5.2 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms5Feb 2021Feb 17, 2021 · $100,000 damage
Excessive heat4Aug 2010—
Flooding3Feb 2018Mar 12, 2016 · $50,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill2Jan 2026Jan 1, 2010 · $100,000 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 Richland forecast zone and Richland County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Start?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDGX (Jackson, MS), about 111 miles east. 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 StartView
KDGX
Jackson, MS		111 mi east11,300 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KPOE
Fort Polk, LA		113 mi southwest11,600 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KSHV
Shreveport, LA		115 mi west11,900 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 Start

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 119 tornadoes within 25 miles of Start, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an F5 on February 21, 1971, which passed about 24 miles east-southeast of town and caused 47 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on December 28, 2024, which passed about 22 miles east of town.

Hail: 384 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on May 10, 2006.

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 Start'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.

Start radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Start, LA?

KDGX (Jackson, MS), about 111 miles east. KPOE (Fort Polk, LA) is 113 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Start?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Start the lowest scan from KDGX is about 11,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.

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

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