El Lago, TX Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for El Lago, Harris County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits El Lago?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 244 days in the Coastal Harris forecast zone and Harris County — the most common reported hazard around El Lago, mostly in May and June. Next come flash flooding (150 days) and lightning casualties & damage (63 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 244 | May 2026 | May 16, 2024 · 8 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 150 | Jun 2026 | Aug 26, 2017 · 38 deaths · $10.0 billion damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 63 | May 2024 | Jul 15, 2012 · 2 deaths |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Sep 2023 | Jun 16, 2023 · 2 deaths |
| Flooding | 7 | Jun 2025 | Jul 12, 2012 · $5.0 million damage |
| Storm surge | 3 | Sep 2021 | — |
| Coastal flooding | 2 | Jun 2024 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 1 | Feb 2021 | — |
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 Coastal Harris forecast zone and Harris County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover El Lago?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHGX (Houston, TX), about 7 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 El Lago | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHGX Houston, TX | 7 mi south-southwest | 400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLCH Lake Charles, LA | 116 mi east-northeast | 12,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGRK Central Texas, TX | 161 mi west-northwest | 20,300 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 El Lago
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 312 tornadoes within 25 miles of El Lago, 47 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and October. The strongest was an F4 on September 12, 1961, which touched down about 24 miles southeast of town and caused 8 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on December 28, 2024, which passed about 16 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 230 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 22 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 2, 2013.
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 El Lago'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.
El Lago radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to El Lago, TX?
KHGX (Houston, TX), about 7 miles south-southwest. KLCH (Lake Charles, LA) is 116 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near El Lago?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over El Lago the lowest scan from KHGX is about 400 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for El Lago 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 El Lago, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.