Rock Island, OK Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rock Island, Le Flore County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rock Island?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 207 days in the Northern Le Flore forecast zone and Le Flore County — the most common reported hazard around Rock Island, mostly in May and June. Next come flash flooding (67 days) and flooding (45 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 207 | Jun 2026 | Feb 20, 1997 · $540,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 67 | May 2025 | Jun 23, 2019 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 45 | Mar 2023 | May 10, 2015 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Jun 2005 | Jun 4, 2005 · $120,000 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 Northern Le Flore forecast zone and Le Flore County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Rock Island?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KSRX (Fort Smith, AR), about 10 miles 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 Rock Island | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KSRX Fort Smith, AR | 10 mi northeast | 500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KINX Tulsa, OK | 91 mi northwest | 8,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLZK Little Rock, AR | 128 mi east | 14,100 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 Rock Island
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 132 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rock Island, 30 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F5 on March 26, 1976, which passed about 5 miles north-northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 6, 2025, which passed about 24 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 478 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 60 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on March 26, 2000.
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 Rock Island'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.
Rock Island radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rock Island, OK?
KSRX (Fort Smith, AR), about 10 miles northeast. KINX (Tulsa, OK) is 91 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Rock Island?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Rock Island the lowest scan from KSRX is about 500 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Rock Island 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 Rock Island, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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