McDonald, TN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for McDonald, Bradley County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits McDonald?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 176 days in the Bradley forecast zone and Bradley County — the most common reported hazard around McDonald, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (28 days) and flash flooding (15 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 176 | Jun 2026 | Apr 26, 2005 · $86,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 28 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 15 | May 2024 | May 6, 2003 · $14 million damage |
| Flooding | 14 | Dec 2015 | Sep 26, 2009 · $5,000 damage |
| High winds | 2 | Mar 2023 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Jan 2005 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Aug 2009 | Jun 26, 1999 · 1 death |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 1 | Sep 2004 | Sep 16, 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 Bradley forecast zone and Bradley County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does McDonald get?
A normal year brings about 1.1 inches of snow to McDonald, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cleveland Fltr Plt weather station 13.3 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 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 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 McDonald?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHTX (Huntsville, AL), about 63 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 McDonald | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHTX Huntsville, AL | 63 mi west | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 115 mi northeast | 11,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOHX Nashville, TN | 118 mi northwest | 12,500 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 McDonald
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 82 tornadoes within 25 miles of McDonald, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an EF4 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 3 miles southeast of town and caused 20 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on March 2, 2023, which touched down about 12 miles north of town.
Hail: 259 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 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 McDonald'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.
McDonald radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to McDonald, TN?
KHTX (Huntsville, AL), about 63 miles west. KMRX (Knoxville, TN) is 115 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in McDonald?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over McDonald the lowest scan from KHTX is about 4,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for McDonald 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 McDonald, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Collegedale, TN radar 5 mi
- Cleveland, TN radar 8 mi
- Lakesite, TN radar 11 mi
- Soddy-Daisy, TN radar 15 mi
- Chattanooga, TN radar 15 mi
- East Ridge, TN radar 16 mi
- Red Bank, TN radar 18 mi
- Walden, TN radar 19 mi
- Benton, TN radar 19 mi
- Signal Mountain, TN radar 20 mi