Dayton, TN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dayton, Rhea County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dayton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 153 days in the Rhea forecast zone and Rhea County — the most common reported hazard around Dayton, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (27 days) and flash flooding (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 153 | Mar 2026 | Jul 19, 2010 · $1.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 27 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 20 | Jul 2023 | Dec 24, 2015 · 1 death · $15,000 damage |
| Flooding | 13 | Aug 2021 | Feb 14, 2003 · $3.3 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2015 | Dec 16, 2010 · $10,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 1 | Sep 2004 | Sep 16, 2004 · $12,000 damage |
| High winds | 1 | Mar 2007 | Mar 3, 2007 · $20,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Jul 2005 | Jul 28, 2005 · $400,000 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 Rhea forecast zone and Rhea County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Dayton get?
A normal year brings about 1.6 inches of snow to Dayton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Dayton 2Se weather station 1.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (0.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 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 Dayton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHTX (Huntsville, AL), about 72 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 Dayton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHTX Huntsville, AL | 72 mi west-southwest | 5,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 101 mi east-northeast | 9,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOHX Nashville, TN | 101 mi west-northwest | 9,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Dayton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 58 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dayton, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF4 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 23 miles southeast of town and caused 20 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 20, 2025, which passed about 21 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 215 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 18 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on May 20, 2006.
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 Dayton'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.
Dayton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dayton, TN?
KHTX (Huntsville, AL), about 72 miles west-southwest. KMRX (Knoxville, TN) is 101 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dayton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dayton the lowest scan from KHTX is about 5,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Dayton 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 Dayton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Graysville, TN radar 5 mi
- Decatur, TN radar 12 mi
- Pikeville, TN radar 13 mi
- Spring City, TN radar 15 mi
- Soddy-Daisy, TN radar 19 mi
- Lakesite, TN radar 22 mi
- Athens, TN radar 23 mi
- Cleveland, TN radar 23 mi
- Dunlap, TN radar 23 mi
- Walden, TN radar 29 mi