Chattanooga Weather Radar
Chattanooga Live Weather
Chattanooga Live Weather Radar
Chattanooga Hourly Weather Forecast
Chattanooga 7-Day Weather Forecast
Chattanooga Weather Overview
Chattanooga sits in a valley along the Tennessee River in southeastern Tennessee, where the southern Appalachian foothills channel moisture and storm systems directly through the metro area. The humid subtropical climate produces hot, wet summers and mild winters with occasional ice and snow. The Chattanooga weather radar is essential year-round — the city averages roughly 55 inches of rainfall annually, making it one of the wetter cities in the Southeast.
Severe thunderstorms are the most frequent threat, rolling through from spring into early fall with damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. The 2020 Easter tornado outbreak struck the Chattanooga area on April 12-13, part of a deadly multi-state event. Flooding is equally dangerous — the Tennessee River at Chattanooga reached 36.1 feet during the May 2003 floods, and flash flooding in August 2025 dumped over 6 inches of rain in a single day. The NWS Morristown office (WFO MRX) monitors weather radar for Chattanooga and the surrounding Tennessee Valley.
Winter storms occasionally hit hard. The Blizzard of 1993 buried the area under 18 to 24 inches of snow, and the city's all-time record low of -10°F was set on January 21, 1985. Between seasons, Chattanooga weather radar helps track remnants of tropical systems that push inland from the Gulf, bringing extended periods of heavy rain and localized flooding across the valley.
Chattanooga Weather Risks & Safety
Severe Thunderstorm Risk
Severe thunderstorms roll through Chattanooga regularly, especially spring through early fall. Expect damaging winds above 58 mph, large hail, and dangerous lightning. The radar shows you each storm cell's position, movement, and intensity — so you can tell if one is headed your way. When a thunderstorm warning drops for Chattanooga, get indoors and away from windows until it passes.
Tornado Risk
Tornadoes hit Chattanooga hardest in spring and early summer, when warm Gulf air slams into cooler northern fronts. Supercell thunderstorms can spin up EF2+ tornadoes with very little lead time. On radar, rotation signatures inside storm cells give you a few critical minutes to reach shelter. Chattanooga averages several tornado warnings per year — know where your safe room or interior closet is before you need it.
Flooding & Flash Flood Risk
Flash flooding is Chattanooga's most persistent weather hazard. Slow-moving thunderstorms or tropical moisture can dump enough rain to overwhelm drainage systems within hours — especially in paved urban areas where water has nowhere to go. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.
Winter Storm Risk
Winter storms hit Chattanooga when Gulf or Pacific moisture runs into cold Arctic air — the result is some combination of heavy snow, ice, and strong winds. The key thing to watch on radar is the rain-snow line: that boundary determines whether Chattanooga gets rain, freezing rain, or heavy snow, and it can shift by miles in an hour. When a winter storm watch goes up, stock your emergency supplies and plan to stay home.
How to Use Chattanooga Weather Radar
Check Current Conditions
Look at the weather status bar at the top of the Chattanooga radar page. It shows temperature, humidity, wind speed, and current conditions — useful before heading out into the Tennessee Valley.
Watch the Radar Map
The radar map shows precipitation moving across Chattanooga and the surrounding valley. Toggle between precipitation and cloud cover views and hit play to see storm direction and speed.
Check the Forecast
Scroll to the hourly and 7-day forecast. Look for severe thunderstorm or flooding potential in the next few hours, especially during spring storm season in Chattanooga.
Decide What to Do
Storms approaching from the southwest? Delay outdoor plans. Flash flood warnings active? Avoid low-lying areas near Chattanooga Creek and the Tennessee River until conditions clear.
Who Benefits from Chattanooga Weather Radar
Commuters & Drivers
Check radar before driving I-24 or I-75 — spot storms and flooding along your route through the valley.
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Hikers on Lookout Mountain and runners at Coolidge Park — see incoming storms 30 minutes out.
Event Planners & Families
Planning events at Finley Stadium or AT&T Field? Radar shows exactly when rain hits downtown.
Outdoor Workers
Construction crews across Hamilton County — check radar before outdoor work. Valley storms move fast.