Rankin, TX Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rankin, Upton County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rankin?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 31 days in the Upton forecast zone and Upton County — the most common reported hazard around Rankin, mostly in June and October. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (28 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (5 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 31 | May 2026 | Mar 22, 2000 · $100,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 28 | Jun 2025 | Jun 13, 2002 · $400,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 5 | Dec 2020 | — |
| High winds | 4 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Dust storms | 4 | Mar 2025 | Mar 12, 2025 · $50,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Jan 2015 | — |
| Flooding | 1 | Oct 2004 | — |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Aug 2019 | — |
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 Upton forecast zone and Upton County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Rankin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMAF (Midland/Odessa, TX), about 52 miles north-northwest. 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 Rankin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMAF Midland/Odessa, TX | 52 mi north-northwest | 3,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KSJT San Angelo, TX | 86 mi east | 7,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDFX Laughlin AFB, TX | 167 mi southeast | 21,700 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 Rankin
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 29 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rankin, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 1, 1990, which passed about 22 miles southwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on October 8, 2018, which touched down about 17 miles west of town.
Hail: 178 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on May 28, 1995.
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 Rankin'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.
Rankin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rankin, TX?
KMAF (Midland/Odessa, TX), about 52 miles north-northwest. KSJT (San Angelo, TX) is 86 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rankin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rankin the lowest scan from KMAF is about 3,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rankin 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 Rankin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- McCamey, TX radar 18 mi
- Iraan, TX radar 22 mi
- Crane, TX radar 27 mi
- Big Lake, TX radar 29 mi
- Odessa, TX radar 51 mi
- Midland, TX radar 56 mi
- Fort Stockton, TX radar 60 mi