Harkers Island, NC Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Harkers Island, Carteret County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

What weather hits Harkers Island?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 98 days in the East Carteret forecast zone and Carteret County — the most common reported hazard around Harkers Island, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (29 days) and flooding (9 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds98Mar 2026Jan 12, 1996 · $500,000 damage
Flash flooding29Sep 2024Sep 30, 2010 · $10,000 damage
Flooding9Nov 2015Sep 9, 2007 · $5,000 damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms6Aug 2024—
Excessive heat6Jul 2025—
High winds4Jan 2024—
Heavy snow & winter storms3Feb 2026—
Lightning casualties & damage2Jun 2007May 23, 1998 · 1 death

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 East Carteret forecast zone and Carteret County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Harkers Island?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMHX (Morehead City, NC), about 19 miles west-northwest. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over Harkers IslandView
KMHX
Morehead City, NC
19 mi west-northwest1,100 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KLTX
Wilmington, NC
118 mi west-southwest12,300 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KRAX
Raleigh/Durham, NC
128 mi west-northwest14,100 ftLimited — 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 Harkers Island

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 73 tornadoes within 25 miles of Harkers Island, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and July. The strongest was an EF2 on November 26, 2013, which touched down about 12 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF0 on January 10, 2024, which touched down near town.

Hail: 49 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on July 28, 2014.

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 Harkers Island'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.

Harkers Island radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Harkers Island, NC?

KMHX (Morehead City, NC), about 19 miles west-northwest. KLTX (Wilmington, NC) is 118 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Harkers Island?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Harkers Island the lowest scan from KMHX is about 1,100 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

Is TALON's radar for Harkers Island 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 Harkers Island, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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