Fairplains, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fairplains, Wilkes County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fairplains?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 182 days in the Wilkes forecast zone and Wilkes County — the most common reported hazard around Fairplains, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (41 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (38 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 182 | Jun 2026 | Jun 13, 2013 · 1 death · $75,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 41 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $3.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 38 | Jan 2026 | Dec 8, 2018 · $175,000 damage |
| High winds | 35 | Feb 2025 | Sep 27, 2024 · 1 death · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 16 | Jan 2024 | Jan 9, 2024 · $25,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 15 | Aug 2023 | Jun 15, 2001 · $400,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Dec 2009 | Feb 1, 1996 · $300,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Dec 2022 | Apr 9, 1997 · $100,000 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 Wilkes forecast zone and Wilkes County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Fairplains get?
A normal year brings about 5.6 inches of snow to Fairplains, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the N Wilkesboro weather station 2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 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 Fairplains?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 75 miles 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 Fairplains | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 75 mi northeast | 6,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 109 mi southwest | 10,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 126 mi west | 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 Fairplains
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 36 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fairplains, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on May 7, 1998, which passed about 24 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on September 26, 2024, which touched down about 11 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 203 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on June 26, 2023.
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 Fairplains'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.
Fairplains radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fairplains, NC?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 75 miles northeast. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 109 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fairplains?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fairplains the lowest scan from KFCX is about 6,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Fairplains 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 Fairplains, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- North Wilkesboro, NC radar 2 mi
- Wilkesboro, NC radar 4 mi
- Elkin, NC radar 18 mi
- Jonesville, NC radar 18 mi
- Taylorsville, NC radar 19 mi
- Sparta, NC radar 21 mi
- West Jefferson, NC radar 23 mi
- Jefferson, NC radar 24 mi
- Boonville, NC radar 25 mi
- Dobson, NC radar 28 mi