Lamar, MS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lamar, Benton County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lamar?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged dangerous heat on 79 days in the Benton forecast zone and Benton County — the most common reported hazard around Lamar, mostly in July and August. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (35 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (25 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive heat | 79 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 35 | May 2025 | May 5, 2003 · $150,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 25 | Jan 2025 | Feb 1, 1996 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Feb 2026 | Jan 31, 2026 · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Jun 2014 | May 2, 2010 · $750,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Jan 2026 | Jan 23, 2026 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 3 | Mar 2023 | Jan 29, 2008 · $15,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | May 2007 | Apr 14, 1996 · $50,000 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 Benton forecast zone and Benton County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lamar get?
A normal year brings about 2.3 inches of snow to Lamar, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Holly Springs 4 N weather station 9.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 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 Lamar?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KNQA (Memphis, TN), about 43 miles northwest. 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 Lamar | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KNQA Memphis, TN | 43 mi northwest | 2,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGWX Columbus AFB, MS | 90 mi southeast | 8,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KPAH Paducah, KY | 152 mi north-northeast | 18,600 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 Lamar
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 66 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lamar, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in February and March. The strongest was an F4 on February 21, 1971, which passed about 13 miles southeast of town and caused 58 deaths. The most recent was an EF3 on April 3, 2025, which passed about 4 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 149 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 Lamar'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.
Lamar radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lamar, MS?
KNQA (Memphis, TN), about 43 miles northwest. KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS) is 90 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lamar?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lamar the lowest scan from KNQA is about 2,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lamar 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 Lamar, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Holly Springs, MS radar 12 mi
- Byhalia, MS radar 21 mi
- Ripley, MS radar 25 mi
- Olive Branch, MS radar 30 mi
- New Albany, MS radar 33 mi
- Southaven, MS radar 38 mi
- Hernando, MS radar 39 mi
- Coldwater, MS radar 40 mi
- Oxford, MS radar 41 mi
- Horn Lake, MS radar 42 mi