Welch, OK Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Welch, Craig County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Welch?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 121 days in the Craig forecast zone and Craig County — the most common reported hazard around Welch, mostly in May and July. Next come excessive heat (52 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (36 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 121 | Apr 2026 | May 6, 2024 · $350,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 52 | Jul 2025 | Jun 15, 2011 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 36 | Jan 2026 | Jan 12, 2007 · $133,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 31 | Aug 2023 | May 4, 1999 · $4.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Jan 2017 | Dec 8, 2007 · $50 million damage |
| High winds | 7 | Mar 2025 | Mar 31, 2023 · $5,000 damage |
| Flooding | 5 | Jul 1999 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jun 2010 | Jun 3, 2010 · $500,000 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 Craig forecast zone and Craig County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Welch get?
A normal year brings about 11 inches of snow to Welch, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bartlett weather station 13.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (4.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.5 | 4.2 | 2.2 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 0.1 | 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 Welch?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KINX (Tulsa, OK), about 55 miles south-southwest. 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 Welch | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KINX Tulsa, OK | 55 mi south-southwest | 4,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KSGF Springfield, MO | 97 mi east-northeast | 9,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KSRX Fort Smith, AR | 117 mi south-southeast | 12,200 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 Welch
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 139 tornadoes within 25 miles of Welch, 34 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an EF4 on May 10, 2008, which passed about 8 miles north of town and caused 21 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 29, 2025, which passed about 24 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 395 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 54 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 19, 2003.
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 Welch'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.
Welch radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Welch, OK?
KINX (Tulsa, OK), about 55 miles south-southwest. KSGF (Springfield, MO) is 97 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Welch?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Welch the lowest scan from KINX is about 4,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Welch 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 Welch, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Chelsea, OK radar 30 mi
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