Nelson, GA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Nelson, Cherokee County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Nelson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 179 days in the Cherokee forecast zone and Cherokee County — the most common reported hazard around Nelson, mostly in June and July. Next come lightning casualties & damage (43 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 179 | Mar 2026 | Jul 30, 2024 · 1 death · $1,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 43 | Jul 2018 | Aug 10, 2000 · $1.4 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 22 | Jan 2026 | Jan 28, 2005 · $140,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 17 | Feb 2020 | Jul 11, 2005 · $1.6 million damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 16 | Oct 2020 | Oct 28, 2020 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 13 | Jan 2003 | — |
| Flooding | 11 | Oct 2009 | Sep 21, 2009 · $45 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 11 | Jul 2012 | — |
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 Cherokee forecast zone and Cherokee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Nelson get?
A normal year brings about 2.5 inches of snow to Nelson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Jasper 1 Nnw weather station 8.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (0.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 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 Nelson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFFC (Atlanta, GA), about 71 miles south. 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 Nelson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFFC Atlanta, GA | 71 mi south | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KHTX Huntsville, AL | 105 mi west-northwest | 10,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 127 mi east-northeast | 13,900 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 Nelson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 83 tornadoes within 25 miles of Nelson, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an F4 on April 3, 1974, which passed about 2 miles east-southeast of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 20, 2025, which passed about 25 miles west of town.
Hail: 332 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on May 7, 1998.
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 Nelson'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.
Nelson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Nelson, GA?
KFFC (Atlanta, GA), about 71 miles south. KHTX (Huntsville, AL) is 105 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Nelson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Nelson the lowest scan from KFFC is about 5,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Nelson 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 Nelson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Ball Ground, GA radar 2 mi
- Jasper, GA radar 7 mi
- Canton, GA radar 11 mi
- Dawsonville, GA radar 14 mi
- Holly Springs, GA radar 16 mi
- Milton, GA radar 16 mi
- Cumming, GA radar 18 mi
- Woodstock, GA radar 21 mi
- East Ellijay, GA radar 21 mi
- Alpharetta, GA radar 22 mi