Charleston, MS Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for CharlestonWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Charleston?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged dangerous heat on 133 days in the Tallahatchie forecast zone and Tallahatchie County — the most common reported hazard around Charleston, mostly in July and August. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (69 days) and flash flooding (14 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Excessive heat133Jun 2026—
Damaging thunderstorm winds69Jun 2026Apr 2, 2017 · 1 death
Flash flooding14Jun 2021Jun 10, 2021 · $1.3 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms10Jan 2025Feb 1, 1996 · $20,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill6Feb 2026Jan 31, 2026 · $125,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage3Jun 2011Jun 19, 1998 · $50,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet2Jan 2026Jan 23, 2026 · $570,000 damage
High winds2Jan 2008Jan 29, 2008 · $5,000 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 Tallahatchie forecast zone and Tallahatchie County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Charleston?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KNQA (Memphis, TN), about 93 miles north. 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 CharlestonView
KNQA
Memphis, TN		93 mi north8,600 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KGWX
Columbus AFB, MS		99 mi east9,500 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KDGX
Jackson, MS		119 mi south12,600 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 Charleston

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 66 tornadoes within 25 miles of Charleston, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on February 21, 1971, which passed about 10 miles southeast of town and caused 58 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 5, 2025, which passed about 22 miles south-southwest of town.

Hail: 142 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on April 27, 2011.

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 Charleston'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.

Charleston radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Charleston, MS?

KNQA (Memphis, TN), about 93 miles north. KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS) is 99 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Charleston?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Charleston the lowest scan from KNQA is about 8,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.

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

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