Carolina Shores, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Carolina Shores, Brunswick County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Carolina Shores?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 74 days in the Coastal Brunswick forecast zone and Brunswick County — the most common reported hazard around Carolina Shores, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (46 days) and lightning casualties & damage (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 74 | Jun 2026 | Apr 15, 2007 · $150,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 46 | May 2025 | Oct 8, 2016 · $1.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 26 | Jul 2025 | Jul 17, 2004 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 23 | Sep 2024 | Sep 16, 2024 · 1 death |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 8 | Sep 2022 | Aug 26, 2011 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 5 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Coastal flooding | 4 | Oct 2015 | Oct 3, 2015 · $20,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 3 | Jun 2015 | — |
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 Coastal Brunswick forecast zone and Brunswick County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Carolina Shores?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLTX (Wilmington, NC), about 10 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 Carolina Shores | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 10 mi northeast | 500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 114 mi east-northeast | 11,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 122 mi north | 13,000 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 Carolina Shores
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 61 tornadoes within 25 miles of Carolina Shores, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and October. The strongest was an EF3 on February 15, 2021, which passed about 4 miles east of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on August 6, 2024, which touched down about 5 miles north of town.
Hail: 134 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on August 28, 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 Carolina Shores'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.
Carolina Shores radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Carolina Shores, NC?
KLTX (Wilmington, NC), about 10 miles northeast. KMHX (Morehead City, NC) is 114 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Carolina Shores?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Carolina Shores the lowest scan from KLTX is about 500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Carolina Shores 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 Carolina Shores, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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