Lincolnton, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lincolnton, Lincoln County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lincolnton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 121 days in the Lincoln forecast zone and Lincoln County — the most common reported hazard around Lincolnton, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (27 days) and flash flooding (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 121 | Mar 2026 | Jun 20, 2015 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 27 | Jan 2026 | Feb 26, 2004 · $2,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 20 | Jul 2025 | Jul 27, 2013 · $1.2 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 14 | Dec 2005 | Dec 4, 2002 · $9.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 12 | Aug 2023 | May 13, 2006 · $400,000 damage |
| High winds | 10 | Jan 2009 | Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 9 | Feb 2020 | Mar 20, 2003 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | 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 Lincoln forecast zone and Lincoln County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lincolnton get?
A normal year brings about 5.6 inches of snow to Lincolnton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lincolnton 4 W weather station 5.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 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 Lincolnton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGSP (Greer, SC), about 69 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 Lincolnton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGSP Greer, SC | 69 mi southwest | 5,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 106 mi south | 10,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 120 mi north-northeast | 12,700 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 Lincolnton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 99 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lincolnton, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and October. The strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1989, which passed about 16 miles west-northwest of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 3, 2025, which touched down about 15 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 410 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 26 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 Lincolnton'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.
Lincolnton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lincolnton, NC?
KGSP (Greer, SC), about 69 miles southwest. KCAE (Columbia, SC) is 106 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lincolnton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lincolnton the lowest scan from KGSP is about 5,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lincolnton 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 Lincolnton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Maiden, NC radar 8 mi
- Cherryville, NC radar 10 mi
- Dallas, NC radar 11 mi
- Stanley, NC radar 12 mi
- Newton, NC radar 13 mi
- Bessemer City, NC radar 13 mi
- Ranlo, NC radar 14 mi
- Lowell, NC radar 16 mi
- Gastonia, NC radar 16 mi
- Conover, NC radar 17 mi