Benson, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Benson, Johnston County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Benson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 218 days in the Johnston forecast zone and Johnston County — the most common reported hazard around Benson, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (41 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 218 | Jun 2026 | Aug 15, 2019 · $25 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 41 | Jun 2025 | Sep 15, 1999 · 3 deaths |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 32 | Jan 2026 | Jan 22, 2016 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Mar 2023 | Jul 21, 2008 · $180,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 12 | Sep 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 · 3 deaths · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 7 | Sep 2018 | Oct 9, 2016 · 4 deaths · $45 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Jul 2025 | Jul 23, 1999 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 1998 | — |
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 Johnston forecast zone and Johnston County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Benson get?
A normal year brings about 2.1 inches of snow to Benson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Dunn 4 Nw weather station 9.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 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 Benson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 19 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Benson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 19 mi north | 1,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 97 mi south | 9,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 103 mi east-southeast | 10,100 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 Benson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 76 tornadoes within 25 miles of Benson, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and May. The strongest was an F3 on March 28, 1984, which passed about 23 miles south-southeast of town and caused 12 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 4, 2025, which touched down about 4 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 245 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 13, 2019.
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 Benson'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.
Benson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Benson, NC?
KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 19 miles north. KLTX (Wilmington, NC) is 97 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Benson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Benson the lowest scan from KRAX is about 1,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Benson 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 Benson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Dunn, NC radar 7 mi
- Coats, NC radar 7 mi
- Four Oaks, NC radar 8 mi
- Erwin, NC radar 9 mi
- Angier, NC radar 14 mi
- Smithfield, NC radar 14 mi
- Lillington, NC radar 15 mi
- Wilson's Mills, NC radar 17 mi
- Selma, NC radar 18 mi
- Pine Level, NC radar 18 mi