Lawndale, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lawndale, Cleveland County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lawndale?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 182 days in the Cleveland forecast zone and Cleveland County — the most common reported hazard around Lawndale, mostly in July and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (29 days) and lightning casualties & damage (23 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 182 | Aug 2025 | Apr 5, 2011 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 29 | Jan 2026 | Feb 26, 2004 · $2,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 23 | Jun 2018 | May 24, 2001 · $2.0 million damage |
| High winds | 15 | Feb 2016 | Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Jun 2025 | Sep 27, 2024 · $2.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Dec 2005 | Dec 4, 2002 · $9.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 6 | Mar 2021 | Feb 6, 2020 · $1.0 million 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 Cleveland forecast zone and Cleveland County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lawndale get?
A normal year brings about 4.0 inches of snow to Lawndale, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Shelby 2 Nw weather station 7.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 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 Lawndale?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGSP (Greer, SC), about 52 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 Lawndale | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGSP Greer, SC | 52 mi southwest | 3,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 104 mi south-southeast | 10,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 116 mi west-northwest | 12,000 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 Lawndale
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 88 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lawndale, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1989, which passed about 4 miles north-northwest of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 8, 2024, which crossed near town.
Hail: 369 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 24, 2000.
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 Lawndale'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.
Lawndale radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lawndale, NC?
KGSP (Greer, SC), about 52 miles southwest. KCAE (Columbia, SC) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lawndale?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lawndale the lowest scan from KGSP is about 3,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lawndale 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 Lawndale, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Shelby, NC radar 9 mi
- Cherryville, NC radar 11 mi
- Boiling Springs, NC radar 13 mi
- Kings Mountain, NC radar 17 mi
- Bessemer City, NC radar 18 mi
- Forest City, NC radar 18 mi
- Lincolnton, NC radar 19 mi
- Spindale, NC radar 21 mi
- Maiden, NC radar 22 mi
- Dallas, NC radar 22 mi