Caroleen, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Caroleen, Rutherford County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Caroleen?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 187 days in the Greater Rutherford forecast zone and Rutherford County — the most common reported hazard around Caroleen, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (25 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 187 | Jun 2026 | May 10, 2011 · 2 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 25 | Sep 2024 | Sep 26, 2024 · 1 death · $35 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 20 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 13 | Apr 2017 | Apr 17, 2002 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 7 | Sep 2024 | Oct 7, 2021 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 5 | Feb 2010 | Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 1 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · 2 deaths · $4.0 million 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 Greater Rutherford forecast zone and Rutherford County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Caroleen get?
A normal year brings about 4.5 inches of snow to Caroleen, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Forest City 6 Sw weather station 8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 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 Caroleen?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGSP (Greer, SC), about 37 miles 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 Caroleen | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGSP Greer, SC | 37 mi southwest | 2,400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 100 mi south-southeast | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 109 mi northwest | 11,000 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 Caroleen
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 79 tornadoes within 25 miles of Caroleen, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1989, which passed about 18 miles northeast of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on December 29, 2024, which touched down about 19 miles west of town.
Hail: 320 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 20 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 24, 2000.
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 Caroleen'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.
Caroleen radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Caroleen, NC?
KGSP (Greer, SC), about 37 miles southwest. KCAE (Columbia, SC) is 100 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Caroleen?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Caroleen the lowest scan from KGSP is about 2,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Caroleen 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 Caroleen, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Forest City, NC radar 6 mi
- Boiling Springs, NC radar 7 mi
- Spindale, NC radar 9 mi
- Rutherfordton, NC radar 11 mi
- Shelby, NC radar 14 mi
- Columbus, NC radar 24 mi
- Cherryville, NC radar 24 mi
- Kings Mountain, NC radar 25 mi
- Tryon, NC radar 26 mi
- Lake Lure, NC radar 26 mi