Butler, TN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Butler, Johnson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Butler?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 72 days in the Johnson forecast zone and Johnson County — the most common reported hazard around Butler, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (57 days) and flash flooding (14 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 72 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 57 | May 2025 | Jun 3, 1998 · $33,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · 1 death · $6.5 million damage |
| High winds | 13 | Sep 2024 | Dec 9, 2009 · $25,000 damage |
| Flooding | 9 | Nov 2020 | Feb 23, 2019 · $900,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 2010 | Dec 16, 2010 · $20,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 1 | Sep 2004 | Sep 17, 2004 · $15,000 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 Johnson forecast zone and Johnson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Butler get?
A normal year brings about 48 inches of snow to Butler, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Flat Springs 1E weather station 9.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (12.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 3.2 | 10.7 | 12.6 | 11.2 | 8.6 | 0.9 | 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 Butler?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 77 miles west. 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 Butler | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 77 mi west | 6,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 102 mi south | 10,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 108 mi east-northeast | 10,800 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 Butler
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 24 tornadoes within 25 miles of Butler, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an EF3 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 21 miles north-northeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 14, 2023, which touched down about 10 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 174 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 15 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on June 2, 1998.
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 Butler'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.
Butler radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Butler, TN?
KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 77 miles west. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 102 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Butler?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Butler the lowest scan from KMRX is about 6,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Butler 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 Butler, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Elizabethton, TN radar 11 mi
- Mountain City, TN radar 15 mi
- Bluff City, TN radar 15 mi
- Bristol, TN radar 17 mi
- Unicoi, TN radar 19 mi
- Johnson City, TN radar 19 mi
- Jonesborough, TN radar 25 mi
- Erwin, TN radar 26 mi
- Kingsport, TN radar 30 mi
- Mount Carmel, TN radar 38 mi