Columbus AFB, MS Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for Columbus AFBWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Columbus AFB?

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 AFB, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (46 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (15 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds200Jun 2026Jul 15, 2000 · 1 death · $1.2 million damage
Flash flooding46Jun 2025May 9, 2006 · $3.0 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms15Jan 2025Feb 9, 2011 · $400,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage12Apr 2026Jul 15, 2006 · 1 death
Excessive heat6Jul 2023Jul 21, 2023 · 1 death
Flooding5Sep 2021Jan 7, 1998 · $310,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet4Mar 2015Feb 3, 2011 · $400,000 damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms4Aug 2005Aug 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 AFB?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS), about 20 miles north-northeast. 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 Columbus AFBView
KGWX
Columbus AFB, MS		20 mi north-northeast1,100 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KBMX
Birmingham, AL		102 mi east-southeast9,900 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KDGX
Jackson, MS		129 mi southwest14,300 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 Columbus AFB

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 140 tornadoes within 25 miles of Columbus AFB, 52 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an F5 on April 3, 1974, which passed about 23 miles northeast of town and caused 28 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on March 31, 2025, which touched down about 3 miles south of town.

Hail: 235 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 20 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.60-inch hail on June 16, 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 AFB'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 AFB radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Columbus AFB, MS?

KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS), about 20 miles north-northeast. KBMX (Birmingham, AL) is 102 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Columbus AFB?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Columbus AFB the lowest scan from KGWX is about 1,100 ft up.

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

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