Monroe, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Monroe, Union County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Monroe?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 165 days in the Union forecast zone and Union County — the most common reported hazard around Monroe, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (55 days) and flooding (25 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 165 | Jun 2026 | Jul 19, 1998 · $600,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 55 | May 2026 | Sep 16, 2018 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| Flooding | 25 | May 2026 | Sep 16, 2018 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 21 | Jan 2026 | Feb 26, 2004 · $500,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 17 | Aug 2012 | Jul 20, 1998 · $250,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Jan 2022 | Dec 4, 2002 · $11 million damage |
| High winds | 7 | Feb 2016 | Mar 7, 2004 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | 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 Union forecast zone and Union County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Monroe get?
A normal year brings about 2.1 inches of snow to Monroe, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Monroe 2 Se weather station 2.6 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 Monroe?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 79 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 Monroe | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 79 mi south-southwest | 6,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 94 mi west | 8,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 125 mi east-northeast | 13,600 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 Monroe
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 59 tornadoes within 25 miles of Monroe, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1989, which passed about 5 miles northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on March 5, 2025, which touched down about 6 miles north of town.
Hail: 251 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 30 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 Monroe'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.
Monroe radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Monroe, NC?
KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 79 miles south-southwest. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 94 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Monroe?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Monroe the lowest scan from KCAE is about 6,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Monroe 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 Monroe, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Unionville, NC radar 6 mi
- Wingate, NC radar 7 mi
- Indian Trail, NC radar 7 mi
- Lake Park, NC radar 7 mi
- Wesley Chapel, NC radar 7 mi
- Mineral Springs, NC radar 8 mi
- Hemby Bridge, NC radar 8 mi
- Stallings, NC radar 9 mi
- Weddington, NC radar 10 mi
- Fairview, NC radar 11 mi