Blowing Rock, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Blowing Rock, Watauga County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Blowing Rock?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 149 days in the Watauga forecast zone and Watauga County — the most common reported hazard around Blowing Rock, mostly in February and December. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (96 days) and flash flooding (61 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 149 | Dec 2025 | Sep 27, 2024 · $28 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 96 | Jan 2026 | Jan 27, 1998 · $300,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 61 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · 2 deaths · $250 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 44 | May 2026 | Jul 8, 2016 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 38 | May 2025 | Sep 18, 2004 · $5.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Nov 2018 | Feb 1, 1996 · $50,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Jan 2026 | Feb 3, 1996 · $20,000 damage |
| Debris flows | 7 | Jun 2019 | May 30, 2018 · 2 deaths · $550,000 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 Watauga forecast zone and Watauga County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Blowing Rock get?
A normal year brings about 26 inches of snow to Blowing Rock, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Boone 1 Se weather station 6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.0 | 5.2 | 6.6 | 6.7 | 4.8 | 1.0 | 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 Blowing Rock?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGSP (Greer, SC), about 92 miles south-southwest. 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 Blowing Rock | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGSP Greer, SC | 92 mi south-southwest | 8,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 97 mi west | 9,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 99 mi northeast | 9,500 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 Blowing Rock
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 20 tornadoes within 25 miles of Blowing Rock, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and October. The strongest was an F4 on May 7, 1998, which passed about 24 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on September 25, 2024, which touched down near town.
Hail: 189 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 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 Blowing Rock'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.
Blowing Rock radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Blowing Rock, NC?
KGSP (Greer, SC), about 92 miles south-southwest. KMRX (Knoxville, TN) is 97 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Blowing Rock?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Blowing Rock the lowest scan from KGSP is about 8,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Blowing Rock 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 Blowing Rock, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Boone, NC radar 6 mi
- Banner Elk, NC radar 11 mi
- Lenoir, NC radar 17 mi
- Gamewell, NC radar 19 mi
- West Jefferson, NC radar 20 mi
- Cajah's Mountain, NC radar 21 mi
- Hudson, NC radar 22 mi
- Jefferson, NC radar 23 mi
- Sawmills, NC radar 24 mi
- Drexel, NC radar 26 mi