Locust, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Locust, Stanly County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Locust?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 133 days in the Stanly forecast zone and Stanly County — the most common reported hazard around Locust, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (58 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 133 | Jun 2026 | Jun 13, 2013 · $2.5 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 58 | Aug 2025 | Jun 16, 2003 · 5 deaths |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 28 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 8 | Sep 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 · $750,000 damage |
| Flooding | 8 | Sep 2018 | Sep 17, 2018 · $24 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 1998 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Aug 2010 | Jul 27, 2009 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 3 | Feb 2010 | Feb 10, 2010 · $1,000 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 Stanly forecast zone and Stanly County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Locust get?
A normal year brings about 3.3 inches of snow to Locust, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Concord weather station 12.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (1.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 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 Locust?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 99 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 Locust | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 99 mi south-southwest | 9,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 104 mi west-southwest | 10,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 113 mi east-northeast | 11,600 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 Locust
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 69 tornadoes within 25 miles of Locust, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and March. The strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1989, which passed about 13 miles south-southwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on March 5, 2025, which touched down about 13 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 261 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 May 7, 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 Locust'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.
Locust radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Locust, NC?
KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 99 miles south-southwest. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Locust?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Locust the lowest scan from KCAE is about 9,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Locust 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 Locust, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Stanfield, NC radar 2 mi
- Midland, NC radar 5 mi
- Oakboro, NC radar 6 mi
- Mount Pleasant, NC radar 9 mi
- Fairview, NC radar 9 mi
- Harrisburg, NC radar 12 mi
- Mint Hill, NC radar 14 mi
- Unionville, NC radar 14 mi
- Concord, NC radar 14 mi
- Albemarle, NC radar 15 mi