Lake Dallas, TX Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lake Dallas, Denton County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lake Dallas?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 164 days in the Denton forecast zone and Denton County — the most common reported hazard around Lake Dallas, mostly in June and April. Next come flash flooding (85 days) and excessive heat (61 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 164 | Sep 2025 | Jul 1, 2012 · 2 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 85 | Jun 2026 | Nov 24, 1996 · 3 deaths |
| Excessive heat | 61 | Jun 2026 | Jul 1, 1998 · 4 deaths |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 40 | Oct 2025 | Jun 12, 1996 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 26 | Jan 2026 | Dec 5, 2013 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| Flooding | 24 | May 2024 | Jun 1, 2022 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Jan 2026 | Feb 14, 2021 · $17 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Feb 2023 | Mar 4, 2015 · 1 death · $20,000 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 Denton forecast zone and Denton County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Lake Dallas?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFWS (Dallas/Fort Worth, TX), about 42 miles south-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 Lake Dallas | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFWS Dallas/Fort Worth, TX | 42 mi south-southwest | 2,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDYX Dyess AFB, TX | 136 mi west-southwest | 15,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFDR Frederick, OK | 141 mi northwest | 16,400 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 Lake Dallas
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 158 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lake Dallas, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F3 on April 2, 1957, which passed about 11 miles east of town and caused 10 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 28, 2025, which touched down about 8 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 1,351 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 252 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.90-inch hail on June 15, 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 Lake Dallas'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.
Lake Dallas radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lake Dallas, TX?
KFWS (Dallas/Fort Worth, TX), about 42 miles south-southwest. KDYX (Dyess AFB, TX) is 136 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lake Dallas?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lake Dallas the lowest scan from KFWS is about 2,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lake Dallas 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 Lake Dallas, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.