Bethel, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bethel, Pitt County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bethel?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 114 days in the Pitt forecast zone and Pitt County — the most common reported hazard around Bethel, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (31 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 114 | Mar 2026 | Jul 1, 2012 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 31 | Aug 2025 | Oct 9, 2016 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 27 | Feb 2026 | Feb 2, 1996 · $75,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 18 | Aug 2020 | Sep 14, 1999 · 5 deaths · $296 million damage |
| Flooding | 9 | Apr 2014 | Sep 15, 1996 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 6 | Jul 2025 | Jun 13, 2008 · 2 deaths |
| High winds | 3 | Jan 2010 | Jun 14, 2006 · $5,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jul 2010 | Aug 15, 2002 · $100,000 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 Pitt forecast zone and Pitt County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bethel get?
A normal year brings about 4.8 inches of snow to Bethel, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Tarboro 1 S weather station 10.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 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 Bethel?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 63 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 Bethel | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 63 mi west | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 77 mi south-southeast | 6,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 84 mi north-northeast | 7,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Bethel
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 76 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bethel, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on March 28, 1984, which passed about 13 miles southeast of town and caused 16 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 13, 2025, which touched down about 16 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 215 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 3, 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 Bethel'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.
Bethel radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bethel, NC?
KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 63 miles west. KMHX (Morehead City, NC) is 77 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bethel?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bethel the lowest scan from KRAX is about 4,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bethel 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 Bethel, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Robersonville, NC radar 7 mi
- Princeville, NC radar 10 mi
- Tarboro, NC radar 12 mi
- Greenville, NC radar 15 mi
- Pinetops, NC radar 15 mi
- Williamston, NC radar 18 mi
- Farmville, NC radar 19 mi
- Winterville, NC radar 19 mi
- Scotland Neck, NC radar 23 mi
- Ayden, NC radar 23 mi