Montreat, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Montreat, Buncombe County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Montreat?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 152 days in the Buncombe forecast zone and Buncombe County — the most common reported hazard around Montreat, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (64 days) and high winds (56 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 152 | Jun 2026 | Jun 17, 2022 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 64 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 56 | Feb 2026 | Apr 16, 2007 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 32 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · 15 deaths · $300 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 23 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 15 | Jan 2019 | Dec 15, 2005 · $75,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Feb 2011 | Jun 8, 2009 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 13 | Sep 2024 | Sep 16, 2004 · 2 deaths · $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 Buncombe forecast zone and Buncombe County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Montreat get?
A normal year brings about 2.1 inches of snow to Montreat, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the N Fk 2 weather station 2.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 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 Montreat?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGSP (Greer, SC), about 53 miles south. 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 Montreat | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGSP Greer, SC | 53 mi south | 3,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 71 mi west-northwest | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 135 mi south-southeast | 15,400 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 Montreat
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 21 tornadoes within 25 miles of Montreat, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and February. The strongest was an F2 on May 7, 1998, which passed about 18 miles east of town. The most recent was an EF0 on December 29, 2024, which touched down about 25 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 275 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 24, 2000.
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 Montreat'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.
Montreat radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Montreat, NC?
KGSP (Greer, SC), about 53 miles south. KMRX (Knoxville, TN) is 71 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Montreat?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Montreat the lowest scan from KGSP is about 3,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Montreat 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 Montreat, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Black Mountain, NC radar 3 mi
- Weaverville, NC radar 15 mi
- Lake Lure, NC radar 15 mi
- Asheville, NC radar 15 mi
- Biltmore Forest, NC radar 16 mi
- Woodfin, NC radar 17 mi
- Marion, NC radar 17 mi
- Burnsville, NC radar 19 mi
- Mars Hill, NC radar 19 mi
- Fletcher, NC radar 19 mi