Kemah, TX Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kemah, Galveston County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kemah?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 91 days in the Coastal Galveston forecast zone and Galveston County — the most common reported hazard around Kemah, mostly in May and April. Next come flash flooding (84 days) and lightning casualties & damage (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 91 | May 2026 | May 2, 2000 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 84 | Sep 2024 | Aug 26, 2017 · 6 deaths · $10.0 billion damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 22 | Aug 2025 | Aug 23, 2006 · 1 death · $70,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Sep 2023 | — |
| Coastal flooding | 3 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Storm surge | 2 | Sep 2020 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 2 | Jun 2026 | — |
| 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 Galveston forecast zone and Galveston County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Kemah?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHGX (Houston, TX), about 5 miles 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 Kemah | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHGX Houston, TX | 5 mi southwest | 300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLCH Lake Charles, LA | 116 mi east-northeast | 12,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGRK Central Texas, TX | 164 mi west-northwest | 20,900 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 Kemah
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 274 tornadoes within 25 miles of Kemah, 44 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 20 miles southeast of town and caused 8 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on December 28, 2024, which passed about 15 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 170 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 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 Kemah'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.
Kemah radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kemah, TX?
KHGX (Houston, TX), about 5 miles southwest. KLCH (Lake Charles, LA) is 116 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Kemah?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Kemah the lowest scan from KHGX is about 300 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Kemah 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 Kemah, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.