Westlake, LA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Westlake, Calcasieu County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Westlake?
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 Westlake, 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 Westlake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLCH (Lake Charles, LA), about 10 miles south-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 Westlake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLCH Lake Charles, LA | 10 mi south-southeast | 500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KPOE Fort Polk, LA | 64 mi north-northeast | 5,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KHGX Houston, TX | 122 mi west-southwest | 13,000 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 Westlake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 146 tornadoes within 25 miles of Westlake, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and October. The strongest was an F3 on April 4, 1952, which passed about 24 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on October 25, 2025, which touched down about 4 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 167 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on March 27, 2009.
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 Westlake'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.
Westlake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Westlake, LA?
KLCH (Lake Charles, LA), about 10 miles south-southeast. KPOE (Fort Polk, LA) is 64 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Westlake?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Westlake the lowest scan from KLCH is about 500 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Westlake 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 Westlake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Lake Charles, LA radar 5 mi
- Sulphur, LA radar 6 mi
- Iowa, LA radar 15 mi
- DeQuincy, LA radar 17 mi
- Vinton, LA radar 20 mi
- Welsh, LA radar 27 mi
- Kinder, LA radar 29 mi
- Jennings, LA radar 36 mi
- Lake Arthur, LA radar 37 mi
- Oberlin, LA radar 38 mi