Hempstead, TX Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for HempsteadWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Hempstead?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 32 days in the Waller forecast zone and Waller County — the most common reported hazard around Hempstead, mostly in May and August. Next come flash flooding (22 days) and excessive heat (12 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds32Oct 2025May 16, 2024 · $1.0 million damage
Flash flooding22Oct 2021Apr 18, 2016 · 1 death · $6.7 million damage
Excessive heat12Sep 2023—
Ice storms & sleet5Feb 2021Jan 16, 2007 · $2,000 damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms5Sep 2021Aug 25, 2017 · $350 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms3Jan 2025—
Extreme cold & wind chill1Feb 2021Feb 15, 2021 · $328,000 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 Waller forecast zone and Waller County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Hempstead?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHGX (Houston, TX), about 74 miles 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 HempsteadView
KHGX
Houston, TX		74 mi southeast6,100 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KGRK
Central Texas, TX		89 mi west-northwest8,000 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KEWX
San Antonio, TX		120 mi west-southwest12,700 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 Hempstead

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 97 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hempstead, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F3 on June 5, 1950, which passed about 4 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on December 28, 2024, which passed about 20 miles southeast of town.

Hail: 113 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.75-inch hail on April 10, 2004.

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 Hempstead'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.

Hempstead radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Hempstead, TX?

KHGX (Houston, TX), about 74 miles southeast. KGRK (Central Texas, TX) is 89 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Hempstead?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hempstead the lowest scan from KHGX is about 6,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.

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

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