Galveston, TX Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for GalvestonWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Galveston?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 91 days in the Galveston Island forecast zone and Galveston County — the most common reported hazard around Galveston, 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
Excessive heat5Sep 2023Jun 23, 2019 · 1 death
Coastal flooding4Oct 2020—
Storm surge3Sep 2021—
Hurricanes & tropical storms3Jun 2026—
Extreme cold & wind chill1Feb 2021Feb 15, 2021 · 4 deaths · $10 million 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 Galveston Island forecast zone and Galveston County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Galveston?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHGX (Houston, TX), about 21 miles north-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 GalvestonView
KHGX
Houston, TX		21 mi north-northwest1,200 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KLCH
Lake Charles, LA		123 mi east-northeast13,300 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KGRK
Central Texas, TX		179 mi northwest24,400 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 Galveston

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 140 tornadoes within 25 miles of Galveston, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and May. The strongest was an F4 on September 12, 1961, which touched down about 15 miles northeast of town and caused 8 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on December 28, 2024, which passed about 20 miles northwest of town.

Hail: 69 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 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 Galveston'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.

Galveston radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Galveston, TX?

KHGX (Houston, TX), about 21 miles north-northwest. KLCH (Lake Charles, LA) is 123 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Galveston?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Galveston the lowest scan from KHGX is about 1,200 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

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

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