Petal, MS Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for PetalWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Petal?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 210 days in the Forrest forecast zone and Forrest County — the most common reported hazard around Petal, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (104 days) and lightning casualties & damage (23 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds210Mar 2026Jun 5, 1998 · 2 deaths · $1.0 million damage
Flash flooding104Jun 2026Jan 29, 1999 · 1 death · $500,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage23Jun 2021Jul 20, 2000 · 1 death
Hurricanes & tropical storms14Sep 2024Aug 29, 2005 · $840 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms6Jan 2025Feb 11, 2010 · $300,000 damage
High winds5Mar 2025Sep 27, 1998 · $1.0 million damage
Excessive heat5Aug 2023Aug 11, 2023 · 1 death
Extreme cold & wind chill2Jan 2026Jan 1, 2010 · $300,000 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 Forrest forecast zone and Forrest County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Petal?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMOB (Mobile, AL), about 75 miles southeast. 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 PetalView
KMOB
Mobile, AL		75 mi southeast6,300 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KDGX
Jackson, MS		78 mi northwest6,600 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KLIX
New Orleans, LA		78 mi south-southwest6,700 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation

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 Petal

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 158 tornadoes within 25 miles of Petal, 47 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and December. The strongest was an F4 on February 28, 1987, which passed about 11 miles north of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on April 6, 2025, which passed about 3 miles north-northwest of town.

Hail: 241 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on March 6, 1996.

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 Petal'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.

Petal radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Petal, MS?

KMOB (Mobile, AL), about 75 miles southeast. KDGX (Jackson, MS) is 78 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Petal?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Petal the lowest scan from KMOB is about 6,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.

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

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