Boone, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Boone, Watauga County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Boone?
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 Boone, 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 Boone get?
A normal year brings about 26 inches of snow to Boone, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Boone 1 Se weather station 1.1 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 Boone?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 95 miles northeast. 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 Boone | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 95 mi northeast | 8,900 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 |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 97 mi south-southwest | 9,200 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 Boone
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 11 tornadoes within 25 miles of Boone, 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 21 miles northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on September 25, 2024, which touched down about 5 miles south of town.
Hail: 170 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 Boone'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.
Boone radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Boone, NC?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 95 miles northeast. KMRX (Knoxville, TN) is 97 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Boone?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Boone the lowest scan from KFCX is about 8,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Boone 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 Boone, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Blowing Rock, NC radar 6 mi
- Banner Elk, NC radar 12 mi
- West Jefferson, NC radar 15 mi
- Jefferson, NC radar 18 mi
- Lenoir, NC radar 23 mi
- Gamewell, NC radar 24 mi
- Cajah's Mountain, NC radar 26 mi
- Hudson, NC radar 27 mi
- Wilkesboro, NC radar 28 mi
- Sawmills, NC radar 29 mi