Bakersville, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bakersville, Mitchell County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bakersville?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 122 days in the Mitchell forecast zone and Mitchell County — the most common reported hazard around Bakersville, mostly in January and February. Next come high winds (39 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 122 | Jan 2026 | Feb 26, 2004 · $1,000 damage |
| High winds | 39 | Feb 2026 | Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 29 | Mar 2026 | Aug 7, 2023 · $200,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 28 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 21 | Feb 2021 | Dec 15, 2005 · $25,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 19 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · 1 death · $30 million damage |
| Flooding | 10 | Sep 2024 | Sep 7, 2004 · $1.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 2 | Feb 2010 | — |
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 Mitchell forecast zone and Mitchell County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bakersville get?
A normal year brings about 13 inches of snow to Bakersville, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Celo 2 S weather station 13.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.2 | 2.2 | 4.2 | 2.3 | 3.3 | 0.5 | 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 Bakersville?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 70 miles west. 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 Bakersville | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 70 mi west | 5,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 78 mi south | 6,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 126 mi northeast | 13,700 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 Bakersville
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 14 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bakersville, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and August. The strongest was an EF3 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 25 miles west-northwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 14, 2023, which touched down about 19 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 165 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on June 9, 2008.
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 Bakersville'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.
Bakersville radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bakersville, NC?
KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 70 miles west. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 78 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bakersville?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bakersville the lowest scan from KMRX is about 5,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bakersville 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 Bakersville, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Burnsville, NC radar 10 mi
- Banner Elk, NC radar 19 mi
- Marion, NC radar 25 mi
- Mars Hill, NC radar 25 mi
- Montreat, NC radar 27 mi
- Blowing Rock, NC radar 29 mi
- Glen Alpine, NC radar 29 mi
- Black Mountain, NC radar 29 mi
- Boone, NC radar 31 mi