Gastonia, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Gastonia, Gaston County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Gastonia?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 170 days in the Gaston forecast zone and Gaston County — the most common reported hazard around Gastonia, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (26 days) and lightning casualties & damage (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 170 | May 2026 | Mar 23, 2012 · 2 deaths |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 26 | Jan 2026 | Feb 26, 2004 · $50,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 19 | Aug 2014 | May 18, 2006 · $250,000 damage |
| Flooding | 15 | Mar 2021 | Jun 9, 2019 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 14 | Apr 2019 | Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Dec 2005 | Dec 4, 2002 · $18 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | 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 Gaston forecast zone and Gaston County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Gastonia get?
A normal year brings about 1.2 inches of snow to Gastonia, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Gastonia weather station 2.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 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 Gastonia?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGSP (Greer, SC), about 64 miles west-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 Gastonia | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGSP Greer, SC | 64 mi west-southwest | 5,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 90 mi south | 8,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 133 mi north-northeast | 14,900 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 Gastonia
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 109 tornadoes within 25 miles of Gastonia, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F3 on May 27, 1973, which passed about 24 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 3, 2025, which touched down about 17 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 410 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 37 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 3, 1974.
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 Gastonia'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.
Gastonia radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Gastonia, NC?
KGSP (Greer, SC), about 64 miles west-southwest. KCAE (Columbia, SC) is 90 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Gastonia?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Gastonia the lowest scan from KGSP is about 5,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Gastonia 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 Gastonia, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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