Lenoir, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lenoir, Caldwell County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lenoir?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 110 days in the Greater Caldwell forecast zone and Caldwell County — the most common reported hazard around Lenoir, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (58 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (17 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 110 | Jun 2026 | Jul 6, 2018 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 58 | May 2026 | Sep 26, 2024 · $40 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 17 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 13 | Jan 2024 | May 5, 2013 · $30,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 9 | May 2014 | Jun 27, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 8 | Apr 2016 | 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 Caldwell forecast zone and Caldwell County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lenoir get?
A normal year brings about 4.1 inches of snow to Lenoir, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lenoir weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (2.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 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 Lenoir?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGSP (Greer, SC), about 81 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 Lenoir | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGSP Greer, SC | 81 mi south-southwest | 7,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 104 mi northeast | 10,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 106 mi west | 10,600 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 Lenoir
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 46 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lenoir, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in October and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1989, which passed about 17 miles south-southeast of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on September 25, 2024, which touched down about 18 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 317 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 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 Lenoir'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.
Lenoir radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lenoir, NC?
KGSP (Greer, SC), about 81 miles south-southwest. KFCX (Blacksburg, VA) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lenoir?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lenoir the lowest scan from KGSP is about 7,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Lenoir 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 Lenoir, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Hudson, NC radar 5 mi
- Gamewell, NC radar 5 mi
- Sawmills, NC radar 7 mi
- Granite Falls, NC radar 9 mi
- Connelly Springs, NC radar 11 mi
- Rutherford College, NC radar 11 mi
- Valdese, NC radar 11 mi
- Drexel, NC radar 11 mi
- Hildebran, NC radar 14 mi