Pickens, MS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Pickens, Holmes County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Pickens?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 126 days in the Holmes forecast zone and Holmes County — the most common reported hazard around Pickens, mostly in June and April. Next come flash flooding (22 days) and ice storms & sleet (10 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 126 | Apr 2026 | Feb 16, 2001 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 22 | Jul 2021 | Jun 10, 1997 · $10 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Jan 2026 | Feb 3, 2011 · $300,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 10 | Jan 2024 | Feb 9, 2011 · $400,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Aug 2010 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 4 | Aug 2021 | Aug 29, 2005 · $16 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 2 | Jan 2026 | Jan 1, 2010 · $250,000 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 Holmes forecast zone and Holmes County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Pickens?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDGX (Jackson, MS), about 42 miles south. 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 Pickens | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDGX Jackson, MS | 42 mi south | 2,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGWX Columbus AFB, MS | 117 mi northeast | 12,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KHDC Hammond, LA | 166 mi south | 21,400 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 Pickens
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 160 tornadoes within 25 miles of Pickens, 45 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an F4 on February 21, 1971, which passed about 14 miles northwest of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on December 28, 2024, which passed about 22 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 168 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on April 24, 2014.
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 Pickens'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.
Pickens radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Pickens, MS?
KDGX (Jackson, MS), about 42 miles south. KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS) is 117 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Pickens?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Pickens the lowest scan from KDGX is about 2,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Pickens 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 Pickens, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Goodman, MS radar 6 mi
- Durant, MS radar 15 mi
- Lexington, MS radar 16 mi
- Canton, MS radar 21 mi
- Kosciusko, MS radar 25 mi
- Tchula, MS radar 25 mi
- Yazoo City, MS radar 26 mi
- Gluckstadt, MS radar 26 mi
- Carthage, MS radar 27 mi
- Madison, MS radar 30 mi