Butner, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Butner, Granville County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Butner?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 100 days in the Granville forecast zone and Granville County — the most common reported hazard around Butner, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (38 days) and flash flooding (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 100 | Jun 2026 | Apr 26, 2022 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 38 | Jan 2026 | Jan 20, 2009 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 19 | Jul 2025 | Oct 11, 2018 · $25,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 7 | Aug 2020 | Oct 11, 2018 · $500,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Mar 2014 | Mar 6, 2014 · $277,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 3 | Jun 2025 | — |
| High winds | 3 | Feb 2010 | Feb 10, 2010 · $1,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | May 2010 | Jul 20, 2006 · $250,000 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 Granville forecast zone and Granville County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Butner get?
A normal year brings about 1.7 inches of snow to Butner, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Butner Fltr Plt weather station 1.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 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 Butner?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 35 miles south-southeast. 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 Butner | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 35 mi south-southeast | 2,300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 105 mi northwest | 10,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 113 mi east-northeast | 11,500 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 Butner
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 53 tornadoes within 25 miles of Butner, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and March. The strongest was an F4 on November 27, 1988, which passed about 16 miles south-southeast of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on September 27, 2024, which touched down about 8 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 332 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on March 28, 2005.
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 Butner'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.
Butner radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Butner, NC?
KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 35 miles south-southeast. KFCX (Blacksburg, VA) is 105 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Butner?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Butner the lowest scan from KRAX is about 2,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Butner 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 Butner, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Creedmoor, NC radar 4 mi
- Stem, NC radar 4 mi
- Durham, NC radar 14 mi
- Oxford, NC radar 16 mi
- Youngsville, NC radar 16 mi
- Franklinton, NC radar 16 mi
- Wake Forest, NC radar 17 mi
- Hillsborough, NC radar 20 mi
- Morrisville, NC radar 21 mi
- Raleigh, NC radar 22 mi