Vidor, TX Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Vidor, Orange County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Vidor?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 73 days in the Southern Orange forecast zone and Orange County — the most common reported hazard around Vidor, mostly in August and May. Next come flash flooding (62 days) and flooding (13 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 73 | Feb 2026 | Jul 18, 2009 · 1 death · $3,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 62 | Jun 2026 | Aug 26, 2017 · 10 deaths · $1.5 billion damage |
| Flooding | 13 | Sep 2017 | Mar 21, 2012 · 1 death · $1,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Jul 2012 | Feb 10, 1998 · $10,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 1 | Jan 2025 | — |
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 Southern Orange forecast zone and Orange County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Vidor?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLCH (Lake Charles, LA), about 46 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 Vidor | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLCH Lake Charles, LA | 46 mi east | 3,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KHGX Houston, TX | 79 mi southwest | 6,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KPOE Fort Polk, LA | 93 mi northeast | 8,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Vidor
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 169 tornadoes within 25 miles of Vidor, 34 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in October and July. The strongest was an F4 on November 7, 1957, which passed about 12 miles southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF3 on December 28, 2024, which passed about 21 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 175 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 8 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 Vidor'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.
Vidor radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Vidor, TX?
KLCH (Lake Charles, LA), about 46 miles east. KHGX (Houston, TX) is 79 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Vidor?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Vidor the lowest scan from KLCH is about 3,200 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Vidor 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 Vidor, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Beaumont, TX radar 10 mi
- Nederland, TX radar 11 mi
- Bridge City, TX radar 11 mi
- Port Neches, TX radar 12 mi
- Pinehurst, TX radar 13 mi
- Groves, TX radar 13 mi
- Orange, TX radar 14 mi
- West Orange, TX radar 14 mi
- Lumberton, TX radar 16 mi
- Bevil Oaks, TX radar 17 mi