Independence, MS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Independence, Tate County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Independence?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged dangerous heat on 116 days in the Tate forecast zone and Tate County — the most common reported hazard around Independence, mostly in July and August. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (58 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive heat | 116 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 58 | Jun 2026 | Dec 21, 2013 · $250,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 26 | Jan 2026 | Jan 23, 2026 · $4.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 24 | Mar 2025 | Oct 10, 2002 · 2 deaths · $1,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Feb 2026 | Jan 27, 2026 · 3 deaths |
| Flooding | 4 | Apr 2019 | Nov 28, 2001 · $5,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Jun 2026 | Jun 1, 2026 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Feb 2023 | Dec 22, 1998 · $1,000 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 Tate forecast zone and Tate County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Independence get?
A normal year brings about 1.6 inches of snow to Independence, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Independence 1W weather station 1 mile away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Independence?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KNQA (Memphis, TN), about 44 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 Independence | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KNQA Memphis, TN | 44 mi north | 3,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGWX Columbus AFB, MS | 101 mi east-southeast | 9,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLZK Little Rock, AR | 140 mi west | 16,200 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 Independence
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 83 tornadoes within 25 miles of Independence, 31 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on March 21, 1952, which passed about 13 miles north-northeast of town and caused 16 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 18, 2025, which touched down about 12 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 186 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 December 9, 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 Independence'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.
Independence radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Independence, MS?
KNQA (Memphis, TN), about 44 miles north. KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS) is 101 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Independence?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Independence the lowest scan from KNQA is about 3,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Independence 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 Independence, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Coldwater, MS radar 10 mi
- Senatobia, MS radar 12 mi
- Byhalia, MS radar 13 mi
- Hernando, MS radar 14 mi
- Como, MS radar 15 mi
- Olive Branch, MS radar 17 mi
- Southaven, MS radar 19 mi
- Sardis, MS radar 20 mi
- Holly Springs, MS radar 21 mi
- Horn Lake, MS radar 22 mi