Kenly, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kenly, Johnston County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kenly?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 218 days in the Johnston forecast zone and Johnston County — the most common reported hazard around Kenly, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (41 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 218 | Jun 2026 | Aug 15, 2019 · $25 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 41 | Jun 2025 | Sep 15, 1999 · 3 deaths |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 32 | Jan 2026 | Jan 22, 2016 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Mar 2023 | Jul 21, 2008 · $180,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 12 | Sep 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 · 3 deaths · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 7 | Sep 2018 | Oct 9, 2016 · 4 deaths · $45 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Jul 2025 | Jul 23, 1999 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 1998 | — |
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 Johnston forecast zone and Johnston County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Kenly get?
A normal year brings about 1.9 inches of snow to Kenly, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wilson 3 Sw weather station 12.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 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 Kenly?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 21 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Kenly | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 21 mi west-northwest | 1,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 91 mi southeast | 8,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 113 mi south | 11,500 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 Kenly
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 86 tornadoes within 25 miles of Kenly, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF3 on April 16, 2011, which passed about 15 miles west-southwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 4, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 219 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 8 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 24, 1986.
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 Kenly'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.
Kenly radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kenly, NC?
KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 21 miles west-northwest. KMHX (Morehead City, NC) is 91 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Kenly?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kenly the lowest scan from KRAX is about 1,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Kenly 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 Kenly, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Fremont, NC radar 9 mi
- Princeton, NC radar 9 mi
- Pine Level, NC radar 10 mi
- Selma, NC radar 10 mi
- Wilson's Mills, NC radar 13 mi
- Smithfield, NC radar 14 mi
- Wilson, NC radar 14 mi
- Archer Lodge, NC radar 15 mi
- Goldsboro, NC radar 18 mi