Elizabethtown, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Elizabethtown, Bladen County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Elizabethtown?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 135 days in the Bladen forecast zone and Bladen County — the most common reported hazard around Elizabethtown, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (17 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (15 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 135 | Mar 2026 | Jul 31, 1998 · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 17 | Aug 2025 | Oct 8, 2016 · 2 deaths · $75,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 15 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 13 | Jul 2023 | Jul 7, 2023 · $500,000 damage |
| High winds | 8 | Jan 2024 | Sep 5, 1996 · 1 death · $40 million damage |
| Flooding | 8 | Oct 2023 | Sep 8, 2008 · $10,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Feb 2015 | Jan 26, 2004 · $2.5 million damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 5 | Sep 2022 | Oct 8, 2016 · 2 deaths |
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 Bladen forecast zone and Bladen County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Elizabethtown?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLTX (Wilmington, NC), about 45 miles south-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 Elizabethtown | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 45 mi south-southeast | 3,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 72 mi north | 6,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 99 mi east | 9,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Elizabethtown
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 70 tornadoes within 25 miles of Elizabethtown, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and September. The strongest was an F4 on April 8, 1957, which passed about 21 miles north of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on September 27, 2024, which passed about 10 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 191 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 20, 2024.
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 Elizabethtown'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.
Elizabethtown radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Elizabethtown, NC?
KLTX (Wilmington, NC), about 45 miles south-southeast. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 72 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Elizabethtown?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Elizabethtown the lowest scan from KLTX is about 3,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Bladenboro, NC radar 12 mi
- Whiteville, NC radar 21 mi
- Lake Waccamaw, NC radar 22 mi
- Lumberton, NC radar 23 mi
- Roseboro, NC radar 24 mi
- Chadbourn, NC radar 24 mi
- St. Pauls, NC radar 25 mi
- Stedman, NC radar 28 mi
- Fairmont, NC radar 30 mi
- Clinton, NC radar 30 mi