Fairfield, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fairfield, Hyde County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fairfield?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 52 days in the Mainland Hyde forecast zone and Hyde County — the most common reported hazard around Fairfield, mostly in June and July. Next come hurricanes & tropical storms (24 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 52 | Jul 2025 | Mar 8, 2005 · $50,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 24 | Aug 2020 | Aug 26, 2011 · $20 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 22 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 6 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Aug 2023 | — |
| High winds | 4 | May 2007 | — |
| Flooding | 2 | Oct 2015 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 1 | Mar 1998 | Mar 11, 1998 · $350,000 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 Mainland Hyde forecast zone and Hyde County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Fairfield?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMHX (Morehead City, NC), about 65 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 Fairfield | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 65 mi southwest | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 108 mi north-northwest | 10,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 127 mi west | 14,000 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 Fairfield
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 33 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fairfield, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and April. The strongest was an EF2 on April 7, 2014, which passed about 20 miles west of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 8, 2021, which passed about 7 miles west of town.
Hail: 33 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on May 2, 1995.
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 Fairfield'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.
Fairfield radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fairfield, NC?
KMHX (Morehead City, NC), about 65 miles southwest. KAKQ (Wakefield, VA) is 108 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fairfield?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fairfield the lowest scan from KMHX is about 5,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Fairfield 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 Fairfield, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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