Karns, TN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Karns, Knox County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Karns?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 273 days in the Knox forecast zone and Knox County — the most common reported hazard around Karns, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (47 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 273 | May 2026 | Nov 9, 2000 · 2 deaths · $3,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 47 | Jun 2026 | May 5, 2003 · $2.8 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 32 | Jan 2026 | Jan 14, 2024 · 4 deaths |
| Flooding | 26 | Aug 2025 | Feb 23, 2019 · 1 death · $33 million damage |
| High winds | 8 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2015 | — |
| Excessive heat | 2 | Jun 1998 | Jun 27, 1998 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Aug 2006 | Aug 4, 2006 · $25,000 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 Knox forecast zone and Knox County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Karns get?
A normal year brings about 4.4 inches of snow to Karns, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Oak Ridge Atdd weather station 8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 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 Karns?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 42 miles east-northeast. 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 Karns | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 42 mi east-northeast | 2,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 120 mi north-northeast | 12,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 131 mi southeast | 14,500 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 Karns
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 46 tornadoes within 25 miles of Karns, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F3 on November 10, 2002, which passed about 20 miles west-northwest of town and caused 7 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 20, 2025, which touched down about 16 miles west of town.
Hail: 312 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 24 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on April 28, 1959.
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 Karns'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.
Karns radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Karns, TN?
KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 42 miles east-northeast. KJKL (Jackson, KY) is 120 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Karns?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Karns the lowest scan from KMRX is about 2,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Karns 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 Karns, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Farragut, TN radar 8 mi
- Clinton, TN radar 8 mi
- Knoxville, TN radar 9 mi
- Oak Ridge, TN radar 10 mi
- Louisville, TN radar 11 mi
- Oliver Springs, TN radar 13 mi
- Alcoa, TN radar 14 mi
- Lenoir City, TN radar 15 mi
- Norris, TN radar 17 mi
- Rocky Top, TN radar 17 mi