Matthews, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Matthews, Mecklenburg County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Matthews?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 266 days in the Mecklenburg forecast zone and Mecklenburg County — the most common reported hazard around Matthews, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (88 days) and lightning casualties & damage (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 266 | Mar 2026 | May 22, 2020 · 1 death · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 88 | Aug 2025 | Jul 23, 1997 · 3 deaths · $8.5 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 42 | Jun 2017 | Jul 29, 2003 · 3 deaths · $30,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 26 | Jan 2026 | Feb 26, 2004 · $2.5 million damage |
| Flooding | 26 | Jun 2025 | Mar 20, 2003 · $2.0 million damage |
| High winds | 13 | Feb 2016 | Mar 7, 2004 · 1 death · $75,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Feb 2026 | Jan 20, 2008 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Dec 2005 | Dec 4, 2002 · $40 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 Mecklenburg forecast zone and Mecklenburg County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Matthews get?
A normal year brings about 2.1 inches of snow to Matthews, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Monroe 2 Se weather station 14.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 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 Matthews?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 84 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 Matthews | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 84 mi south-southwest | 7,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 87 mi west | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 131 mi east-northeast | 14,500 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 Matthews
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 74 tornadoes within 25 miles of Matthews, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and March. The strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1989, which passed about 7 miles southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on March 5, 2025, which touched down about 8 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 337 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 32 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on April 24, 1955.
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 Matthews'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.
Matthews radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Matthews, NC?
KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 84 miles south-southwest. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 87 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Matthews?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Matthews the lowest scan from KCAE is about 7,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Matthews 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 Matthews, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Stallings, NC radar 3 mi
- Indian Trail, NC radar 5 mi
- Hemby Bridge, NC radar 5 mi
- Lake Park, NC radar 5 mi
- Mint Hill, NC radar 5 mi
- Weddington, NC radar 7 mi
- Wesley Chapel, NC radar 8 mi
- Charlotte, NC radar 9 mi
- Marvin, NC radar 10 mi
- Pineville, NC radar 11 mi