Columbus, MS Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for Columbus What TALON shows

What weather hits Columbus?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 200 days in the Lowndes forecast zone and Lowndes County — the most common reported hazard around Columbus, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (46 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (15 days).

Hazard	Days reported	Most recent	Worst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds	200	Jun 2026	Jul 15, 2000 · 1 death · $1.2 million damage
Flash flooding	46	Jun 2025	May 9, 2006 · $3.0 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms	15	Jan 2025	Feb 9, 2011 · $400,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage	12	Apr 2026	Jul 15, 2006 · 1 death
Excessive heat	6	Jul 2023	Jul 21, 2023 · 1 death
Flooding	5	Sep 2021	Jan 7, 1998 · $310,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet	4	Mar 2015	Feb 3, 2011 · $400,000 damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms	4	Aug 2005	Aug 29, 2005 · $110 million 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 Lowndes forecast zone and Lowndes County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Columbus?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS), about 27 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.

Radar	Distance	Lowest beam over Columbus	View
KGWX Columbus AFB, MS	27 mi north	1,600 ft	Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KBMX Birmingham, AL	97 mi east-southeast	9,200 ft	Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KDGX Jackson, MS	125 mi southwest	13,500 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 Columbus

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 160 tornadoes within 25 miles of Columbus, 56 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an EF4 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 22 miles southeast of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on March 31, 2025, which touched down about 6 miles north-northwest of town.

Hail: 230 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.88-inch hail on June 14, 2023.

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 Columbus'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.

Columbus radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Columbus, MS?

KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS), about 27 miles north. KBMX (Birmingham, AL) is 97 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Columbus?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Columbus the lowest scan from KGWX is about 1,600 ft up.

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

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