Henderson, NC Live Doppler Radar

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

What weather hits Henderson?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 76 days in the Vance forecast zone and Vance County — the most common reported hazard around Henderson, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (36 days) and flash flooding (12 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds76Jun 2026Aug 20, 1997 · $75,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms36Jan 2026Feb 25, 2015 · $500,000 damage
Flash flooding12Aug 2025Aug 26, 2002 · 1 death
Hurricanes & tropical storms6Oct 2018Oct 11, 2018 · $500,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet4Mar 2014Mar 6, 2014 · $250,000 damage
Excessive heat3Jun 2025—
High winds3Feb 2010Feb 10, 2010 · $1,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage3Jun 2004Aug 15, 2002 · $500,000 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 Vance forecast zone and Vance County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Henderson get?

A normal year brings about 1.6 inches of snow to Henderson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Henderson 2 Nnw weather station 1.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.2 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.00.00.01.20.30.10.00.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Henderson?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 46 miles south. 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 HendersonView
KRAX
Raleigh/Durham, NC
46 mi south3,200 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KAKQ
Wakefield, VA
90 mi east-northeast8,200 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KFCX
Blacksburg, VA
114 mi west-northwest11,700 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 Henderson

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 41 tornadoes within 25 miles of Henderson, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and October. The strongest was an F4 on November 27, 1988, which passed about 19 miles south-southeast of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on September 27, 2024, which touched down about 24 miles west-southwest of town.

Hail: 154 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 15 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on February 24, 2016.

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 Henderson'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.

Henderson radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Henderson, NC?

KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 46 miles south. KAKQ (Wakefield, VA) is 90 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Henderson?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Henderson the lowest scan from KRAX is about 3,200 ft up.

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

Radar for nearby towns

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