Spencer, TN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Spencer, Van Buren County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Spencer?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 37 days in the Van Buren forecast zone and Van Buren County — the most common reported hazard around Spencer, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (17 days) and flash flooding (14 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 37 | Aug 2023 | Aug 7, 2023 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 17 | Jan 2026 | Feb 20, 2015 · $5.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Jul 2024 | Oct 6, 2021 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | Apr 2017 | Sep 17, 2004 · $1,000 damage |
| High winds | 3 | Mar 2025 | Mar 3, 2023 · $300,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jul 2022 | May 1, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Jan 2010 | Jan 29, 2010 · $25,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 2 | Jan 2026 | — |
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 Van Buren forecast zone and Van Buren County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Spencer get?
A normal year brings about 5.0 inches of snow to Spencer, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sparta Wastewater Plant weather station 11.6 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 Spencer?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHTX (Huntsville, AL), about 66 miles south-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 Spencer | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHTX Huntsville, AL | 66 mi south-southwest | 5,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOHX Nashville, TN | 71 mi west-northwest | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 119 mi east-northeast | 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 Spencer
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 64 tornadoes within 25 miles of Spencer, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 3, 1974, which passed about 21 miles north-northwest of town and caused 10 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 20, 2025, which passed about 21 miles east of town.
Hail: 125 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-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 Spencer'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.
Spencer radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Spencer, TN?
KHTX (Huntsville, AL), about 66 miles south-southwest. KOHX (Nashville, TN) is 71 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Spencer?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Spencer the lowest scan from KHTX is about 5,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Spencer 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 Spencer, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Sparta, TN radar 14 mi
- Pikeville, TN radar 17 mi
- McMinnville, TN radar 19 mi
- Smithville, TN radar 25 mi
- Dunlap, TN radar 26 mi
- Altamont, TN radar 26 mi
- Gruetli-Laager, TN radar 27 mi
- Crossville, TN radar 28 mi
- Cookeville, TN radar 28 mi
- Graysville, TN radar 29 mi