Catawba, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Catawba, Catawba County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Catawba?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 171 days in the Catawba forecast zone and Catawba County — the most common reported hazard around Catawba, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (33 days) and flash flooding (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 171 | Jun 2026 | Jun 13, 2013 · $250,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 33 | Jan 2026 | Feb 26, 2004 · $2,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 27 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $50 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 19 | Aug 2021 | Aug 17, 2021 · $150,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 16 | Jan 2019 | Dec 4, 2002 · $9.0 million damage |
| High winds | 11 | Feb 2008 | Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 7 | Nov 2020 | May 6, 2013 · $2.0 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 Catawba forecast zone and Catawba County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Catawba get?
A normal year brings about 4.9 inches of snow to Catawba, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Statesville 2 Nne weather station 12.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 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 Catawba?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGSP (Greer, SC), about 86 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 Catawba | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGSP Greer, SC | 86 mi southwest | 7,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 101 mi north-northeast | 9,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 122 mi south | 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 Catawba
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 83 tornadoes within 25 miles of Catawba, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and October. The strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1989, which passed about 20 miles west of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 3, 2025, which touched down about 20 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 323 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 18 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 3, 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 Catawba'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.
Catawba radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Catawba, NC?
KGSP (Greer, SC), about 86 miles southwest. KFCX (Blacksburg, VA) is 101 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Catawba?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Catawba the lowest scan from KGSP is about 7,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Catawba 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 Catawba, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Claremont, NC radar 5 mi
- Conover, NC radar 8 mi
- Newton, NC radar 10 mi
- Troutman, NC radar 10 mi
- Maiden, NC radar 12 mi
- Statesville, NC radar 12 mi
- Hickory, NC radar 14 mi
- Taylorsville, NC radar 16 mi
- Mooresville, NC radar 16 mi
- Long View, NC radar 18 mi