JAARS, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for JAARS, Union County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits JAARS?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 165 days in the Union forecast zone and Union County — the most common reported hazard around JAARS, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (55 days) and flooding (25 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 165 | Jun 2026 | Jul 19, 1998 · $600,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 55 | May 2026 | Sep 16, 2018 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| Flooding | 25 | May 2026 | Sep 16, 2018 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 21 | Jan 2026 | Feb 26, 2004 · $500,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 17 | Aug 2012 | Jul 20, 1998 · $250,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Jan 2022 | Dec 4, 2002 · $11 million damage |
| High winds | 7 | Feb 2016 | Mar 7, 2004 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | 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 Union forecast zone and Union County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does JAARS get?
A normal year brings about 2.6 inches of snow to JAARS, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Catawba weather station 9.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (1.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 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 JAARS?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 67 miles south-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 JAARS | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 67 mi south-southwest | 5,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 83 mi west | 7,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 139 mi east-northeast | 16,100 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 JAARS
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 61 tornadoes within 25 miles of JAARS, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 8, 1957, which passed about 19 miles south-southeast of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on March 5, 2025, which touched down about 18 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 262 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 24 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on April 24, 1955.
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 JAARS'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.
JAARS radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to JAARS, NC?
KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 67 miles south-southwest. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 83 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in JAARS?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over JAARS the lowest scan from KCAE is about 5,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for JAARS 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 JAARS, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Waxhaw, NC radar 5 mi
- Mineral Springs, NC radar 7 mi
- Marvin, NC radar 10 mi
- Wesley Chapel, NC radar 10 mi
- Weddington, NC radar 11 mi
- Monroe, NC radar 14 mi
- Indian Trail, NC radar 15 mi
- Lake Park, NC radar 17 mi
- Stallings, NC radar 18 mi
- Matthews, NC radar 18 mi