Jacksonville, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Jacksonville, Onslow County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Jacksonville?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 111 days in the Inland Onslow forecast zone and Onslow County — the most common reported hazard around Jacksonville, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (35 days) and flooding (13 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 111 | May 2026 | May 26, 2006 · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 35 | Aug 2025 | Sep 30, 2010 · $7.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 13 | May 2018 | Jun 28, 2006 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 9 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Apr 2025 | Apr 11, 2025 · 1 death |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 4 | Aug 2024 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 4 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 1 | Jan 2022 | — |
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 Inland Onslow forecast zone and Onslow County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Jacksonville?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMHX (Morehead City, NC), about 30 miles east. 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 Jacksonville | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 30 mi east | 1,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 78 mi southwest | 6,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 90 mi northwest | 8,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Jacksonville
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 91 tornadoes within 25 miles of Jacksonville, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and August. The strongest was an F3 on March 17, 1965, which passed about 21 miles north-northeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on September 16, 2024, which touched down about 20 miles east of town.
Hail: 133 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 21, 1997.
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 Jacksonville'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.
Jacksonville radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Jacksonville, NC?
KMHX (Morehead City, NC), about 30 miles east. KLTX (Wilmington, NC) is 78 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Jacksonville?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Jacksonville the lowest scan from KMHX is about 1,800 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Richlands, NC radar 15 mi
- Swansboro, NC radar 15 mi
- North Topsail Beach, NC radar 17 mi
- Cedar Point, NC radar 18 mi
- Holly Ridge, NC radar 19 mi
- Cape Carteret, NC radar 19 mi
- Emerald Isle, NC radar 21 mi
- Surf City, NC radar 22 mi
- Beulaville, NC radar 25 mi
- River Bend, NC radar 27 mi