Forest Hills, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Forest Hills, Jackson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Forest Hills?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 82 days in the Northern Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County — the most common reported hazard around Forest Hills, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (57 days) and high winds (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 82 | Mar 2026 | Oct 25, 2001 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 57 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 29 | Mar 2025 | Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 24 | Jul 2025 | Sep 27, 2024 · $10 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Dec 2011 | Aug 8, 1999 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 13 | Sep 2024 | Sep 16, 2004 · $250,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Mar 1999 | — |
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 Northern Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Forest Hills get?
A normal year brings about 4.3 inches of snow to Forest Hills, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cullowhee weather station 1.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (1.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 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 Forest Hills?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 61 miles north. 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 Forest Hills | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 61 mi north | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 62 mi east-southeast | 4,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 150 mi southeast | 18,200 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 Forest Hills
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 18 tornadoes within 25 miles of Forest Hills, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an F2 on April 3, 1974, which passed about 22 miles west-northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 8, 2024, which passed about 4 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 113 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on March 28, 1984.
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 Forest Hills'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.
Forest Hills radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Forest Hills, NC?
KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 61 miles north. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 62 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Forest Hills?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Forest Hills the lowest scan from KMRX is about 4,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Forest Hills 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 Forest Hills, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Franklin, NC radar 13 mi
- Highlands, NC radar 17 mi
- Bryson City, NC radar 17 mi
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- Maggie Valley, NC radar 18 mi
- Clyde, NC radar 23 mi
- Canton, NC radar 26 mi
- Brevard, NC radar 27 mi
- Mills River, NC radar 35 mi