Idalou, TX Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Idalou, Lubbock County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Idalou?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 197 days in the Lubbock forecast zone and Lubbock County — the most common reported hazard around Idalou, mostly in June and May. Next come high winds (128 days) and flash flooding (46 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 197 | Jun 2026 | Jun 5, 2013 · $400 million damage |
| High winds | 128 | Jun 2026 | Mar 20, 2006 · 1 death · $190,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 46 | Jun 2026 | May 28, 2015 · $12 million damage |
| Flooding | 28 | Sep 2019 | Jun 7, 2014 · $100 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 24 | Jan 2026 | Oct 25, 2020 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 23 | May 2023 | Jul 1, 2017 · 1 death · $45,000 damage |
| Dust storms | 19 | Mar 2025 | Dec 19, 2012 · 1 death · $1.0 million damage |
| Wildfires | 9 | Mar 2014 | Feb 27, 2011 · $570,000 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 Lubbock forecast zone and Lubbock County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Idalou get?
A normal year brings about 7.0 inches of snow to Idalou, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lubbock weather station 7.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (2.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Idalou?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLBB (Lubbock, TX), about 8 miles west. 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 Idalou | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLBB Lubbock, TX | 8 mi west | 400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KAMA Amarillo, TX | 109 mi north | 10,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMAF Midland/Odessa, TX | 122 mi south-southwest | 13,100 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 Idalou
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 178 tornadoes within 25 miles of Idalou, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 11, 1970, which passed about 7 miles southwest of town and caused 26 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 5, 2025, which passed about 23 miles west of town.
Hail: 752 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 144 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 23, 2023.
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 Idalou'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.
Idalou radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Idalou, TX?
KLBB (Lubbock, TX), about 8 miles west. KAMA (Amarillo, TX) is 109 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Idalou?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Idalou the lowest scan from KLBB is about 400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Idalou 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 Idalou, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Ransom Canyon, TX radar 9 mi
- Lubbock, TX radar 14 mi
- Abernathy, TX radar 15 mi
- Slaton, TX radar 15 mi
- Ralls, TX radar 17 mi
- Shallowater, TX radar 18 mi
- Wolfforth, TX radar 21 mi
- Crosbyton, TX radar 26 mi
- Hale Center, TX radar 29 mi
- Floydada, TX radar 30 mi