Carrboro, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Carrboro, Orange County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Carrboro?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 162 days in the Orange forecast zone and Orange County — the most common reported hazard around Carrboro, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (44 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (37 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 162 | Jun 2026 | Jun 28, 2020 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 44 | Jul 2025 | Jul 6, 2025 · 1 death · $20,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 37 | Jan 2026 | Feb 25, 2015 · $1.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | May 2022 | Jun 11, 2006 · 1 death |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 6 | Sep 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 · $750,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 6 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Mar 2014 | Mar 6, 2014 · $2.7 million damage |
| High winds | 4 | Feb 2010 | Feb 10, 2010 · $1,000 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 Orange forecast zone and Orange County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Carrboro get?
A normal year brings about 2.8 inches of snow to Carrboro, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Chapel Hill 2 W weather station 1.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 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 Carrboro?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 38 miles east-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 Carrboro | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 38 mi east-southeast | 2,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 101 mi northwest | 9,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 137 mi east-northeast | 15,600 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 Carrboro
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 53 tornadoes within 25 miles of Carrboro, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an F4 on November 27, 1988, which passed about 19 miles east-southeast of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on July 6, 2025, which touched down about 24 miles south of town.
Hail: 339 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 18 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 Carrboro'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.
Carrboro radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Carrboro, NC?
KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 38 miles east-southeast. KFCX (Blacksburg, VA) is 101 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Carrboro?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Carrboro the lowest scan from KRAX is about 2,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Carrboro 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 Carrboro, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Chapel Hill, NC radar 3 mi
- Hillsborough, NC radar 11 mi
- Durham, NC radar 11 mi
- Pittsboro, NC radar 14 mi
- Mebane, NC radar 15 mi
- Morrisville, NC radar 15 mi
- Swepsonville, NC radar 17 mi
- Cary, NC radar 18 mi
- Apex, NC radar 18 mi
- Haw River, NC radar 19 mi