Hamlin, WV Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hamlin, Lincoln County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hamlin?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 94 days in the Lincoln forecast zone and Lincoln County — the most common reported hazard around Hamlin, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (45 days) and flooding (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 94 | May 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · $750,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 45 | Jun 2026 | Jun 10, 2021 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 40 | Jan 2026 | Feb 15, 2003 · 1 death · $2.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 35 | Jan 2026 | Oct 29, 2012 · $750,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 24 | Feb 2026 | Jan 27, 2014 · $25,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 21 | Jul 2011 | — |
| High winds | 11 | Apr 2023 | Mar 9, 2002 · $1,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Feb 2021 | Feb 15, 2021 · $15,000 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 Lincoln forecast zone and Lincoln County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Hamlin get?
A normal year brings about 19 inches of snow to Hamlin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Hamlin weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (7.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 7.1 | 4.4 | 3.2 | 0.2 | 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 Hamlin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 21 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 Hamlin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 21 mi east | 1,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 81 mi southwest | 7,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 122 mi northwest | 13,000 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 Hamlin
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 30 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hamlin, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an EF3 on March 2, 2012, which passed about 11 miles south of town and caused 10 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 26, 2024, which touched down about 21 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 212 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.25-inch hail on June 21, 2016.
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 Hamlin'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.
Hamlin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hamlin, WV?
KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 21 miles east. KJKL (Jackson, KY) is 81 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hamlin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hamlin the lowest scan from KRLX is about 1,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Hamlin 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 Hamlin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Hurricane, WV radar 11 mi
- Barboursville, WV radar 14 mi
- St. Albans, WV radar 17 mi
- Nitro, WV radar 18 mi
- Wayne, WV radar 19 mi
- Huntington, WV radar 20 mi
- Eleanor, WV radar 20 mi
- Winfield, WV radar 21 mi
- Dunbar, WV radar 21 mi