Sparta, TN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sparta, White County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sparta?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 106 days in the White forecast zone and White County — the most common reported hazard around Sparta, mostly in July and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (21 days) and flash flooding (21 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 106 | Mar 2025 | Mar 29, 2020 · $4.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 21 | Jan 2026 | Feb 20, 2015 · $5.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 21 | Jul 2024 | Jul 2, 2015 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 9 | Feb 2023 | Feb 5, 2004 · $22,000 damage |
| High winds | 3 | Mar 2025 | Mar 3, 2023 · $300,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 1 | Jan 2010 | Jan 29, 2010 · $25,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Jun 2023 | — |
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 White forecast zone and White County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sparta get?
A normal year brings about 5.0 inches of snow to Sparta, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sparta Wastewater Plant weather station 1.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (2.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 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 Sparta?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOHX (Nashville, TN), about 65 miles west-northwest. 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 Sparta | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOHX Nashville, TN | 65 mi west-northwest | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KHTX Huntsville, AL | 77 mi south-southwest | 6,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KHPX Fort Campbell, KY | 115 mi west-northwest | 11,900 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 Sparta
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 85 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sparta, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF4 on March 3, 2020, which passed about 16 miles north of town and caused 19 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 20, 2025, which passed about 24 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 193 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 14, 2015.
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 Sparta'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.
Sparta radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sparta, TN?
KOHX (Nashville, TN), about 65 miles west-northwest. KHTX (Huntsville, AL) is 77 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sparta?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sparta the lowest scan from KOHX is about 5,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sparta 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 Sparta, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Spencer, TN radar 14 mi
- Cookeville, TN radar 15 mi
- Baxter, TN radar 18 mi
- Algood, TN radar 18 mi
- Monterey, TN radar 19 mi
- Smithville, TN radar 20 mi
- McMinnville, TN radar 24 mi
- Crossville, TN radar 25 mi
- Pikeville, TN radar 27 mi
- Gordonsville, TN radar 31 mi