Cowan, TN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cowan, Franklin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cowan?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 115 days in the Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County — the most common reported hazard around Cowan, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (34 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 115 | May 2026 | Apr 29, 1996 · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 34 | Aug 2025 | Nov 30, 2010 · $2,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 28 | Jan 2025 | Jan 29, 2010 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 27 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 18 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 9 | Aug 2012 | Aug 21, 2006 · $50,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Feb 2021 | — |
| High winds | 5 | Dec 2009 | Dec 24, 2009 · $30,000 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 Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Cowan get?
A normal year brings about 4.1 inches of snow to Cowan, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Winchester 5Se weather station 1 mile away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 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 Cowan?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHTX (Huntsville, AL), about 17 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 Cowan | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHTX Huntsville, AL | 17 mi south-southwest | 900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOHX Nashville, TN | 81 mi north-northwest | 7,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KHPX Fort Campbell, KY | 130 mi north-northwest | 14,400 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 Cowan
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 103 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cowan, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF5 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 9 miles southwest of town and caused 72 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on August 20, 2025, which touched down about 11 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 162 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on March 2, 2012.
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 Cowan'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.
Cowan radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cowan, TN?
KHTX (Huntsville, AL), about 17 miles south-southwest. KOHX (Nashville, TN) is 81 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cowan?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cowan the lowest scan from KHTX is about 900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Cowan 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 Cowan, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Decherd, TN radar 5 mi
- Winchester, TN radar 6 mi
- Estill Springs, TN radar 9 mi
- Monteagle, TN radar 11 mi
- Tracy City, TN radar 16 mi
- Tullahoma, TN radar 19 mi
- South Pittsburg, TN radar 20 mi
- Kimball, TN radar 21 mi
- Manchester, TN radar 21 mi
- Lynchburg, Moore County, TN radar 21 mi