Hildebran, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hildebran, Burke County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hildebran?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 198 days in the Greater Burke forecast zone and Burke County — the most common reported hazard around Hildebran, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (42 days) and flooding (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 198 | Jun 2026 | Jun 10, 2014 · $250,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 42 | Sep 2024 | Sep 26, 2024 · $40 million damage |
| Flooding | 28 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 19 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 18 | Jul 2025 | Jul 23, 2012 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 10 | Mar 2018 | Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2019 | — |
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 Greater Burke forecast zone and Burke County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Hildebran?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGSP (Greer, SC), about 73 miles 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 Hildebran | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGSP Greer, SC | 73 mi southwest | 6,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 111 mi northeast | 11,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 115 mi west-northwest | 11,900 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 Hildebran
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 71 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hildebran, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and October. The strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1989, which passed about 3 miles south of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 8, 2024, which passed about 23 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 364 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 3, 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 Hildebran'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.
Hildebran radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hildebran, NC?
KGSP (Greer, SC), about 73 miles southwest. KFCX (Blacksburg, VA) is 111 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hildebran?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hildebran the lowest scan from KGSP is about 6,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Hildebran 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 Hildebran, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Long View, NC radar 2 mi
- Connelly Springs, NC radar 5 mi
- Granite Falls, NC radar 5 mi
- Hickory, NC radar 6 mi
- Rutherford College, NC radar 6 mi
- Sawmills, NC radar 8 mi
- Valdese, NC radar 9 mi
- Hudson, NC radar 10 mi
- Drexel, NC radar 11 mi
- Cajah's Mountain, NC radar 11 mi