Merkel, TX Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Merkel, Taylor County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Merkel?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 128 days in the Taylor forecast zone and Taylor County — the most common reported hazard around Merkel, mostly in June and May. Next come flash flooding (58 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 128 | Jun 2025 | Jul 12, 1998 · $3.3 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 58 | Jun 2026 | Aug 18, 2007 · 1 death · $30,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 27 | Jan 2026 | Feb 24, 2003 · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 15 | Oct 2023 | Aug 18, 2007 · $5.0 million damage |
| Wildfires | 10 | May 2022 | Mar 5, 2009 · $150,000 damage |
| High winds | 7 | Jan 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $10,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Oct 2020 | Jan 12, 2007 · $300,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Jan 2026 | Feb 15, 2021 · $7.8 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 Taylor forecast zone and Taylor County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Merkel get?
A normal year brings about 1.5 inches of snow to Merkel, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Trent weather station 6.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (0.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 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 Merkel?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDYX (Dyess AFB, TX), about 44 miles east. 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 Merkel | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDYX Dyess AFB, TX | 44 mi east | 3,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KSJT San Angelo, TX | 81 mi south-southwest | 7,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMAF Midland/Odessa, TX | 132 mi west-southwest | 14,900 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 Merkel
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 129 tornadoes within 25 miles of Merkel, 26 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F3 on April 19, 1986, which passed about 20 miles west of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 2, 2024, which touched down about 21 miles north of town.
Hail: 707 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 130 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 12, 2014.
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 Merkel'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.
Merkel radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Merkel, TX?
KDYX (Dyess AFB, TX), about 44 miles east. KSJT (San Angelo, TX) is 81 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Merkel?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Merkel the lowest scan from KDYX is about 3,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Merkel 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 Merkel, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Abilene, TX radar 16 mi
- Anson, TX radar 21 mi
- Sweetwater, TX radar 23 mi
- Hamlin, TX radar 30 mi
- Clyde, TX radar 30 mi
- Roscoe, TX radar 30 mi
- Winters, TX radar 36 mi
- Baird, TX radar 36 mi
- Rotan, TX radar 37 mi