Columbus, TX Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Columbus, Colorado County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for ColumbusWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Columbus?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 49 days in the Colorado forecast zone and Colorado County — the most common reported hazard around Columbus, mostly in May and June. Next come flash flooding (25 days) and excessive heat (12 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds49Oct 2025Oct 19, 2002 · $215,000 damage
Flash flooding25Aug 2022Apr 18, 2016 · $2.5 million damage
Excessive heat12Sep 2023—
Ice storms & sleet5Feb 2021Dec 13, 2000 · $50,000 damage
Flooding4Jan 2024—
Hurricanes & tropical storms2Jun 2015Sep 7, 1998 · $25,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms2Jan 2025—
High winds1Jan 1996Jan 18, 1996 · $50,000 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 Colorado forecast zone and Colorado County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Columbus?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGRK (Central Texas, TX), about 86 miles 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over ColumbusView
KGRK
Central Texas, TX		86 mi northwest7,700 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KEWX
San Antonio, TX		88 mi west8,000 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KHGX
Houston, TX		90 mi east8,200 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation

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 Columbus

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 68 tornadoes within 25 miles of Columbus, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and September. The strongest was an F3 on September 20, 1967, which touched down about 25 miles southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 19, 2024, which touched down about 23 miles northeast of town.

Hail: 114 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 25, 2011.

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 Columbus'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.

Columbus radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Columbus, TX?

KGRK (Central Texas, TX), about 86 miles northwest. KEWX (San Antonio, TX) is 88 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Columbus?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Columbus the lowest scan from KGRK is about 7,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.

Is TALON's radar for Columbus 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 Columbus, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

Radar for nearby towns

All Texas towns →