Banner Elk, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Banner Elk, Avery County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Banner Elk?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 142 days in the Avery forecast zone and Avery County — the most common reported hazard around Banner Elk, mostly in January and February. Next come high winds (43 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (41 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 142 | Feb 2026 | Feb 26, 2004 · $1,000 damage |
| High winds | 43 | Feb 2026 | Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 41 | Aug 2023 | May 7, 1999 · $10,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 29 | Feb 2026 | Feb 12, 1996 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 28 | Sep 2024 | Sep 26, 2024 · 6 deaths · $40 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 20 | Feb 2021 | Feb 2, 1996 · $50 million damage |
| Flooding | 7 | Sep 2024 | Sep 17, 2004 · $11 million damage |
| Debris flows | 3 | Jul 2013 | Sep 8, 2004 · $2.0 million 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 Avery forecast zone and Avery County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Banner Elk get?
A normal year brings about 31 inches of snow to Banner Elk, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Banner Elk weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (11.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.6 | 5.8 | 6.9 | 11.4 | 4.8 | 0.8 | 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 Banner Elk?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 86 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 Banner Elk | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 86 mi west | 7,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 90 mi south-southwest | 8,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 107 mi northeast | 10,600 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 Banner Elk
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 12 tornadoes within 25 miles of Banner Elk, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF2 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 17 miles north-northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on September 25, 2024, which touched down about 11 miles east of town.
Hail: 160 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on June 2, 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 Banner Elk'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.
Banner Elk radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Banner Elk, NC?
KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 86 miles west. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 90 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Banner Elk?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Banner Elk the lowest scan from KMRX is about 7,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Banner Elk 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 Banner Elk, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- West Jefferson, NC radar 26 mi
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- Jefferson, NC radar 29 mi
- Burnsville, NC radar 29 mi
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