Beaufort, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Beaufort, Carteret County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Beaufort?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 98 days in the East Carteret forecast zone and Carteret County — the most common reported hazard around Beaufort, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (29 days) and flooding (9 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 98 | Mar 2026 | Jan 12, 1996 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 29 | Sep 2024 | Sep 30, 2010 · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 9 | Nov 2015 | Sep 9, 2007 · $5,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 6 | Aug 2024 | — |
| Excessive heat | 6 | Jul 2025 | — |
| High winds | 4 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 3 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Jun 2007 | May 23, 1998 · 1 death |
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 East Carteret forecast zone and Carteret County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Beaufort?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMHX (Morehead City, NC), about 13 miles west-northwest. 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 Beaufort | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 13 mi west-northwest | 700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 113 mi west-southwest | 11,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 123 mi west-northwest | 13,200 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 Beaufort
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 82 tornadoes within 25 miles of Beaufort, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and July. The strongest was an EF2 on November 26, 2013, which touched down about 7 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on September 16, 2024, which touched down about 22 miles west of town.
Hail: 61 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 5 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on July 28, 2014.
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 Beaufort'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.
Beaufort radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Beaufort, NC?
KMHX (Morehead City, NC), about 13 miles west-northwest. KLTX (Wilmington, NC) is 113 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Beaufort?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Beaufort the lowest scan from KMHX is about 700 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Beaufort 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 Beaufort, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Morehead City, NC radar 5 mi
- Atlantic Beach, NC radar 5 mi
- Pine Knoll Shores, NC radar 10 mi
- Newport, NC radar 13 mi
- Havelock, NC radar 19 mi
- Emerald Isle, NC radar 22 mi
- Cape Carteret, NC radar 23 mi
- Cedar Point, NC radar 25 mi
- Swansboro, NC radar 28 mi
- Bayboro, NC radar 30 mi