Nags Head, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Nags Head, Dare County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Nags Head?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 69 days in the Northern Outer Banks forecast zone and Dare County — the most common reported hazard around Nags Head, mostly in June and August. Next come flash flooding (14 days) and lightning casualties & damage (8 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 69 | Jun 2026 | Apr 11, 1999 · $230,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | Aug 2023 | Aug 23, 2019 · 1 death |
| High winds | 7 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 6 | Aug 2025 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 4 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Coastal flooding | 3 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Flooding | 3 | Jul 2012 | — |
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 Northern Outer Banks forecast zone and Dare County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Nags Head get?
A normal year brings about 1.1 inches of snow to Nags Head, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Manteo Ap weather station 4.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 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 Nags Head?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 105 miles northwest. 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 Nags Head | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 105 mi northwest | 10,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 107 mi southwest | 10,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 162 mi west | 20,500 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 Nags Head
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 26 tornadoes within 25 miles of Nags Head, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an F3 on September 17, 1952, which touched down near town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 15, 2025, which touched down about 7 miles south of town.
Hail: 17 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on April 22, 2009.
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 Nags Head'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.
Nags Head radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Nags Head, NC?
KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 105 miles northwest. KMHX (Morehead City, NC) is 107 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Nags Head?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Nags Head the lowest scan from KAKQ is about 10,400 ft up — limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms.
Is TALON's radar for Nags Head 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 Nags Head, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Manteo, NC radar 4 mi
- Kill Devil Hills, NC radar 5 mi
- Kitty Hawk, NC radar 10 mi
- Southern Shores, NC radar 13 mi
- Elizabeth City, NC radar 42 mi
- Hertford, NC radar 50 mi
- Edenton, NC radar 55 mi