Townsend, TN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Townsend, Blount County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Townsend?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 209 days in the NW Blount forecast zone and Blount County — the most common reported hazard around Townsend, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (36 days) and flash flooding (17 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 209 | Mar 2026 | Apr 25, 2010 · $120,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 36 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 17 | May 2026 | May 5, 2003 · $3.6 million damage |
| Flooding | 15 | Jan 2024 | Feb 23, 2019 · $2.8 million damage |
| High winds | 12 | Mar 2025 | Dec 9, 2009 · $20,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Dec 2010 | Dec 16, 2010 · $10,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | May 1999 | Jul 13, 1996 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Aug 2007 | — |
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 NW Blount forecast zone and Blount County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Townsend get?
A normal year brings about 9.4 inches of snow to Townsend, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Townsend 5S weather station 5.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (3.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 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 Townsend?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 39 miles north-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 Townsend | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 39 mi north-northeast | 2,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 102 mi east-southeast | 10,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 135 mi north | 15,300 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 Townsend
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 36 tornadoes within 25 miles of Townsend, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an EF4 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 5 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF0 on January 12, 2023, which touched down about 25 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 204 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 18 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 21, 1998.
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 Townsend'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.
Townsend radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Townsend, TN?
KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 39 miles north-northeast. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 102 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Townsend?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Townsend the lowest scan from KMRX is about 2,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Townsend 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 Townsend, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Pigeon Forge, TN radar 14 mi
- Maryville, TN radar 14 mi
- Gatlinburg, TN radar 15 mi
- Alcoa, TN radar 15 mi
- Sevierville, TN radar 18 mi
- Louisville, TN radar 20 mi
- Knoxville, TN radar 23 mi
- Greenback, TN radar 23 mi
- Vonore, TN radar 28 mi
- Farragut, TN radar 28 mi