Forest, OH Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Forest, Hardin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Forest?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 75 days in the Hardin forecast zone and Hardin County — the most common reported hazard around Forest, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (38 days) and flooding (30 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 75 | Mar 2026 | Nov 17, 2013 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 38 | Jan 2026 | Jan 2, 1996 · $50,000 damage |
| Flooding | 30 | May 2026 | Jan 5, 2005 · $20,000 damage |
| High winds | 13 | Mar 2026 | Mar 9, 2002 · 1 death · $35,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 13 | May 2020 | Jun 13, 2000 · $20,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Nov 2018 | — |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Jul 2019 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Dec 2022 | Feb 1, 1996 · $20,000 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 Hardin forecast zone and Hardin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Forest get?
A normal year brings about 26 inches of snow to Forest, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Kenton weather station 11.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.7 | 3.5 | 9.3 | 7.4 | 4.5 | 0.3 | 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 Forest?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCLE (Cleveland, OH), about 96 miles east-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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Forest | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 96 mi east-northeast | 9,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 97 mi south | 9,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 120 mi west-northwest | 12,700 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 Forest
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 49 tornadoes within 25 miles of Forest, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 11 miles north-northwest of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on March 14, 2024, which touched down about 16 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 135 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 5 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on August 1, 2011.
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 Forest'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.
Forest radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Forest, OH?
KCLE (Cleveland, OH), about 96 miles east-northeast. KILN (Wilmington, OH) is 97 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Forest?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Forest the lowest scan from KCLE is about 9,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Forest 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 Forest, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Arlington, OH radar 10 mi
- Carey, OH radar 12 mi
- Kenton, OH radar 12 mi
- Upper Sandusky, OH radar 13 mi
- Ada, OH radar 16 mi
- Findlay, OH radar 18 mi
- Bluffton, OH radar 20 mi
- Pandora, OH radar 25 mi
- Marion, OH radar 25 mi
- Fostoria, OH radar 25 mi