Bluff City, TN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bluff City, Sullivan County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bluff City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 168 days in the Sullivan forecast zone and Sullivan County — the most common reported hazard around Bluff City, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (39 days) and flooding (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 168 | Dec 2025 | Sep 25, 2022 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 39 | Jan 2026 | Jan 30, 2026 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 20 | Aug 2025 | Feb 6, 2020 · $2,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 20 | Aug 2025 | Jul 17, 2013 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 6 | Dec 2024 | Dec 9, 2009 · $30,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 5 | Aug 2007 | Apr 25, 2006 · $25,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Dec 2010 | Dec 16, 2010 · $20,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Aug 2007 | — |
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 Sullivan forecast zone and Sullivan County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bluff City get?
A normal year brings about 9.2 inches of snow to Bluff City, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bristol Tri City Ap weather station 7.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (3.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.1 | 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 Bluff City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 66 miles west-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 Bluff City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 66 mi west-southwest | 5,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 97 mi northwest | 9,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 109 mi south | 11,000 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 Bluff City
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 32 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bluff City, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an EF3 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 22 miles northeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 14, 2023, which touched down about 24 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 173 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on October 8, 1960.
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 Bluff City'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.
Bluff City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bluff City, TN?
KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 66 miles west-southwest. KJKL (Jackson, KY) is 97 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bluff City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bluff City the lowest scan from KMRX is about 5,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bluff City 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 Bluff City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Bristol, TN radar 8 mi
- Elizabethton, TN radar 9 mi
- Johnson City, TN radar 10 mi
- Kingsport, TN radar 15 mi
- Jonesborough, TN radar 16 mi
- Unicoi, TN radar 17 mi
- Mount Carmel, TN radar 23 mi
- Erwin, TN radar 23 mi
- Church Hill, TN radar 25 mi
- Mountain City, TN radar 26 mi