Columbia, MS Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for ColumbiaWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Columbia?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 138 days in the Marion forecast zone and Marion County — the most common reported hazard around Columbia, mostly in June and April. Next come flash flooding (62 days) and hurricanes & tropical storms (10 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds138Jun 2025Aug 12, 2005 · $350,000 damage
Flash flooding62Jan 2026Jun 18, 1997 · $15 million damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms10Sep 2024Aug 29, 2005 · $365 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms7Jan 2025Feb 11, 2010 · $300,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage5Aug 2017Aug 11, 2017 · $200,000 damage
Excessive heat4Aug 2010—
High winds2Sep 1998Sep 27, 1998 · $100,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill2Jan 2026Jan 1, 2010 · $250,000 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 Marion forecast zone and Marion County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Columbia?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHDC (Hammond, LA), about 62 miles southwest. 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 ColumbiaView
KHDC
Hammond, LA		62 mi southwest4,800 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KLIX
New Orleans, LA		64 mi south5,000 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KDGX
Jackson, MS		71 mi north5,800 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly

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 Columbia

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 164 tornadoes within 25 miles of Columbia, 46 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in February and March. The strongest was an EF4 on April 12, 2020, which passed about 15 miles north-northeast of town and caused 7 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on March 31, 2025, which passed about 10 miles south-southeast of town.

Hail: 223 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 18 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on April 7, 2003.

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 Columbia'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.

Columbia radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Columbia, MS?

KHDC (Hammond, LA), about 62 miles southwest. KLIX (New Orleans, LA) is 64 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Columbia?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Columbia the lowest scan from KHDC is about 4,800 ft up.

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

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