Vinton, LA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Vinton, Calcasieu County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Vinton?
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 Vinton, 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 Vinton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLCH (Lake Charles, LA), about 22 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 Vinton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLCH Lake Charles, LA | 22 mi east-southeast | 1,300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KPOE Fort Polk, LA | 75 mi north-northeast | 6,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KHGX Houston, TX | 103 mi west-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 Vinton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 138 tornadoes within 25 miles of Vinton, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in October and April. The strongest was an F4 on November 7, 1957, which passed about 11 miles southwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on October 25, 2025, which touched down about 14 miles east of town.
Hail: 148 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 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 Vinton'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.
Vinton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Vinton, LA?
KLCH (Lake Charles, LA), about 22 miles east-southeast. KPOE (Fort Polk, LA) is 75 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Vinton?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Vinton the lowest scan from KLCH is about 1,300 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Vinton 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 Vinton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Sulphur, LA radar 14 mi
- DeQuincy, LA radar 19 mi
- Westlake, LA radar 20 mi
- Lake Charles, LA radar 22 mi
- Iowa, LA radar 34 mi
- Welsh, LA radar 46 mi
- Kinder, LA radar 48 mi
- DeRidder, LA radar 48 mi
- Rosepine, LA radar 53 mi
- Lake Arthur, LA radar 55 mi