Johnson City, TN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Johnson City, Washington County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Johnson City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 126 days in the Washington forecast zone and Washington County — the most common reported hazard around Johnson City, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (44 days) and flash flooding (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 126 | Dec 2025 | Oct 25, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 44 | Jan 2026 | Jan 15, 2024 · 2 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 27 | Jun 2026 | Sep 27, 2024 · 4 deaths · $39 million damage |
| High winds | 16 | Apr 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $25,000 damage |
| Flooding | 12 | Aug 2025 | May 26, 2018 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 2010 | Dec 16, 2010 · $20,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Sep 2010 | Sep 11, 2010 · $150,000 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 Washington forecast zone and Washington County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Johnson City get?
A normal year brings about 6.0 inches of snow to Johnson City, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Elizabethton weather station 7.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (2.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 0.1 | 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 Johnson City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 58 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 Johnson City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 58 mi west-southwest | 4,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 100 mi north-northwest | 9,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 101 mi south | 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 Johnson City
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 31 tornadoes within 25 miles of Johnson City, 9 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an EF3 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 17 miles southwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 14, 2023, which touched down about 25 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 179 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 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 Johnson 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.
Johnson City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Johnson City, TN?
KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 58 miles west-southwest. KJKL (Jackson, KY) is 100 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Johnson City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Johnson City the lowest scan from KMRX is about 4,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Johnson 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 Johnson City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Jonesborough, TN radar 6 mi
- Elizabethton, TN radar 8 mi
- Unicoi, TN radar 9 mi
- Bluff City, TN radar 10 mi
- Erwin, TN radar 14 mi
- Kingsport, TN radar 15 mi
- Bristol, TN radar 17 mi
- Mount Carmel, TN radar 22 mi
- Church Hill, TN radar 22 mi
- Tusculum, TN radar 23 mi