Sour Lake, TX Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sour Lake, Hardin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sour Lake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 63 days in the Hardin forecast zone and Hardin County — the most common reported hazard around Sour Lake, mostly in May and April. Next come flash flooding (43 days) and flooding (6 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 63 | Feb 2026 | Oct 29, 2019 · $3.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 43 | Jun 2026 | Aug 27, 2017 · $600 million damage |
| Flooding | 6 | Jun 2016 | Oct 16, 2006 · $2.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 5 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Wildfires | 5 | Jun 2011 | Apr 16, 2011 · $1.1 million damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 4 | Oct 2020 | Sep 12, 2008 · $70 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Feb 2021 | Jan 12, 1997 · $1.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 3 | Aug 2023 | — |
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 Hardin forecast zone and Hardin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Sour Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHGX (Houston, TX), about 61 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 Sour Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHGX Houston, TX | 61 mi southwest | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLCH Lake Charles, LA | 71 mi east | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KPOE Fort Polk, LA | 110 mi northeast | 11,200 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 Sour Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 107 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sour Lake, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in October and May. The strongest was an F3 on January 1, 1999, which passed about 6 miles south of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 8, 2023, which passed about 8 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 152 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on May 6, 1969.
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 Sour Lake'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.
Sour Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sour Lake, TX?
KHGX (Houston, TX), about 61 miles southwest. KLCH (Lake Charles, LA) is 71 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sour Lake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sour Lake the lowest scan from KHGX is about 4,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sour Lake 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 Sour Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Kountze, TX radar 17 mi
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- Ames, TX radar 21 mi
- Liberty, TX radar 24 mi
- Vidor, TX radar 25 mi