Thunderbolt, GA Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Thunderbolt, Chatham County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for ThunderboltWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Thunderbolt?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 219 days in the Coastal Chatham forecast zone and Chatham County — the most common reported hazard around Thunderbolt, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (44 days) and lightning casualties & damage (39 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds219Jun 2026Aug 8, 2023 · 1 death
Flash flooding44May 2026Jun 29, 1999 · $7.0 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage39Jul 2025Jun 12, 2021 · 1 death
Flooding2Aug 2025Apr 23, 2018 · $2,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms2Jan 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 Coastal Chatham forecast zone and Chatham County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Thunderbolt?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCLX (Charleston, SC), about 43 miles north. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over ThunderboltView
KCLX
Charleston, SC		43 mi north2,900 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KJAX
Jacksonville, FL		114 mi south-southwest11,700 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KCAE
Columbia, SC		132 mi north14,800 ftLimited — 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 Thunderbolt

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 65 tornadoes within 25 miles of Thunderbolt, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and September. The strongest was an EF4 on April 5, 2022, which passed about 24 miles west-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on July 10, 2025, which touched down about 9 miles north-northwest of town.

Hail: 221 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 16 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on April 5, 1993.

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 Thunderbolt'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.

Thunderbolt radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Thunderbolt, GA?

KCLX (Charleston, SC), about 43 miles north. KJAX (Jacksonville, FL) is 114 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Thunderbolt?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Thunderbolt the lowest scan from KCLX is about 2,900 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

Is TALON's radar for Thunderbolt 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 Thunderbolt, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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