Durham, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Durham, Durham County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Durham?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 124 days in the Durham forecast zone and Durham County — the most common reported hazard around Durham, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (64 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 124 | Jun 2026 | Mar 12, 2014 · 1 death · $8,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 64 | Jul 2025 | Jul 9, 2025 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 32 | Jan 2026 | Feb 25, 2015 · $1.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | Sep 2021 | Jun 10, 2011 · 1 death |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 8 | Sep 2022 | Sep 5, 1996 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 6 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Mar 2014 | Mar 6, 2014 · $400,000 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 Durham forecast zone and Durham County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Durham get?
A normal year brings about 5.2 inches of snow to Durham, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Raleigh Durham Intl Ap weather station 8.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 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 Durham?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 31 miles 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 Durham | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 31 mi southeast | 1,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 105 mi northwest | 10,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 126 mi northeast | 13,700 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 Durham
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 48 tornadoes within 25 miles of Durham, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and May. The strongest was an F4 on November 27, 1988, which passed about 11 miles southeast of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on July 6, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 369 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 20 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 Durham'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.
Durham radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Durham, NC?
KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 31 miles southeast. KFCX (Blacksburg, VA) is 105 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Durham?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Durham the lowest scan from KRAX is about 1,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Durham 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 Durham, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Chapel Hill, NC radar 9 mi
- Morrisville, NC radar 10 mi
- Carrboro, NC radar 11 mi
- Hillsborough, NC radar 13 mi
- Butner, NC radar 14 mi
- Cary, NC radar 14 mi
- Creedmoor, NC radar 16 mi
- Apex, NC radar 17 mi
- Raleigh, NC radar 18 mi
- Stem, NC radar 18 mi