Dillsboro, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dillsboro, Jackson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dillsboro?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 82 days in the Northern Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County — the most common reported hazard around Dillsboro, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (57 days) and high winds (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 82 | Mar 2026 | Oct 25, 2001 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 57 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 29 | Mar 2025 | Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 24 | Jul 2025 | Sep 27, 2024 · $10 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Dec 2011 | Aug 8, 1999 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 13 | Sep 2024 | Sep 16, 2004 · $250,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Mar 1999 | — |
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 Northern Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Dillsboro get?
A normal year brings about 4.3 inches of snow to Dillsboro, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cullowhee weather station 6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (1.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 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 Dillsboro?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 56 miles north. 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 Dillsboro | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 56 mi north | 4,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 67 mi east-southeast | 5,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 153 mi north | 18,800 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 Dillsboro
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 15 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dillsboro, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and February. The strongest was an F2 on April 3, 1974, which passed about 18 miles west of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 8, 2024, which passed about 9 miles south of town.
Hail: 93 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on March 28, 1984.
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 Dillsboro'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.
Dillsboro radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dillsboro, NC?
KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 56 miles north. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 67 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dillsboro?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dillsboro the lowest scan from KMRX is about 4,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Dillsboro 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 Dillsboro, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Sylva, NC radar 2 mi
- Bryson City, NC radar 12 mi
- Franklin, NC radar 15 mi
- Maggie Valley, NC radar 15 mi
- Waynesville, NC radar 16 mi
- Highlands, NC radar 22 mi
- Clyde, NC radar 22 mi
- Canton, NC radar 26 mi
- Brevard, NC radar 31 mi
- Andrews, NC radar 34 mi