Elkin, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Elkin, Surry County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Elkin?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 220 days in the Surry forecast zone and Surry County — the most common reported hazard around Elkin, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (48 days) and high winds (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 220 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 48 | Jun 2026 | Jan 14, 2005 · $800,000 damage |
| High winds | 40 | Mar 2025 | Oct 29, 2012 · 1 death · $20,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 38 | Jan 2026 | Feb 4, 2010 · 1 death · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 20 | Jan 2024 | Feb 6, 2020 · $30,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Jul 2021 | Jul 28, 1997 · $425,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Dec 2013 | Feb 1, 1996 · $300,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Dec 2022 | Jan 9, 2017 · 1 death |
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 Surry forecast zone and Surry County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Elkin get?
A normal year brings about 3.0 inches of snow to Elkin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Elkin weather station 1.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 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 Elkin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 61 miles north-northeast. 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 Elkin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 61 mi north-northeast | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 123 mi southwest | 13,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 138 mi east-southeast | 15,900 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 Elkin
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 47 tornadoes within 25 miles of Elkin, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an EF2 on May 8, 2009, which passed about 20 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on September 26, 2024, which touched down about 8 miles west of town.
Hail: 249 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 5, 1985.
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 Elkin'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.
Elkin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Elkin, NC?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 61 miles north-northeast. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 123 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Elkin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Elkin the lowest scan from KFCX is about 4,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Elkin 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 Elkin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Jonesville, NC radar 2 mi
- Boonville, NC radar 8 mi
- Dobson, NC radar 11 mi
- Yadkinville, NC radar 14 mi
- North Wilkesboro, NC radar 17 mi
- Wilkesboro, NC radar 20 mi
- Mount Airy, NC radar 21 mi
- Pilot Mountain, NC radar 22 mi
- Sparta, NC radar 23 mi
- Lewisville, NC radar 26 mi