Fairview, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fairview, Union County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fairview?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 165 days in the Union forecast zone and Union County — the most common reported hazard around Fairview, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (55 days) and flooding (25 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 165 | Jun 2026 | Jul 19, 1998 · $600,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 55 | May 2026 | Sep 16, 2018 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| Flooding | 25 | May 2026 | Sep 16, 2018 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 21 | Jan 2026 | Feb 26, 2004 · $500,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 17 | Aug 2012 | Jul 20, 1998 · $250,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Jan 2022 | Dec 4, 2002 · $11 million damage |
| High winds | 7 | Feb 2016 | Mar 7, 2004 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Feb 2026 | — |
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 Union forecast zone and Union County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Fairview get?
A normal year brings about 2.1 inches of snow to Fairview, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Monroe 2 Se weather station 12.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 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 Fairview?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 90 miles south-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 Fairview | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 90 mi south-southwest | 8,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 98 mi west | 9,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 120 mi east-northeast | 12,700 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 Fairview
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 73 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fairview, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and March. The strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1989, which passed about 4 miles south-southwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on March 5, 2025, which touched down about 4 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 289 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 7, 1998.
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 Fairview'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.
Fairview radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fairview, NC?
KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 90 miles south-southwest. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 98 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fairview?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fairview the lowest scan from KCAE is about 8,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Fairview 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 Fairview, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Mint Hill, NC radar 8 mi
- Lake Park, NC radar 8 mi
- Stallings, NC radar 8 mi
- Locust, NC radar 9 mi
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- Matthews, NC radar 11 mi