Friendswood, TX Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for FriendswoodWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Friendswood?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 91 days in the Inland Galveston forecast zone and Galveston County — the most common reported hazard around Friendswood, mostly in May and April. Next come flash flooding (84 days) and lightning casualties & damage (22 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds91May 2026May 2, 2000 · $1.0 million damage
Flash flooding84Sep 2024Aug 26, 2017 · 6 deaths · $10.0 billion damage
Lightning casualties & damage22Aug 2025Aug 23, 2006 · 1 death · $70,000 damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms13Jun 2017Sep 12, 2008 · 8 deaths · $1.0 billion damage
Excessive heat13Sep 2023Jul 6, 2000 · 2 deaths
Coastal flooding11Jun 2024Apr 25, 1997 · $350,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet2Feb 2011—
Heavy snow & winter storms2Jan 2025—

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 Inland Galveston forecast zone and Galveston County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Friendswood?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHGX (Houston, TX), about 8 miles east-southeast. 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 FriendswoodView
KHGX
Houston, TX		8 mi east-southeast400 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KLCH
Lake Charles, LA		126 mi east-northeast13,800 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KGRK
Central Texas, TX		155 mi west-northwest19,200 ftLimited — 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 Friendswood

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 288 tornadoes within 25 miles of Friendswood, 40 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and May. The strongest was an F4 on November 21, 1992, which passed about 16 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF2 on December 28, 2024, which passed about 8 miles south of town.

Hail: 247 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 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 Friendswood'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.

Friendswood radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Friendswood, TX?

KHGX (Houston, TX), about 8 miles east-southeast. KLCH (Lake Charles, LA) is 126 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Friendswood?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Friendswood the lowest scan from KHGX is about 400 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

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

Radar for nearby towns

All Texas towns →