North Wilkesboro, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for North Wilkesboro, Wilkes County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits North Wilkesboro?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 182 days in the Wilkes forecast zone and Wilkes County — the most common reported hazard around North Wilkesboro, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (41 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (38 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 182 | Jun 2026 | Jun 13, 2013 · 1 death · $75,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 41 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $3.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 38 | Jan 2026 | Dec 8, 2018 · $175,000 damage |
| High winds | 35 | Feb 2025 | Sep 27, 2024 · 1 death · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 16 | Jan 2024 | Jan 9, 2024 · $25,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 15 | Aug 2023 | Jun 15, 2001 · $400,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Dec 2009 | Feb 1, 1996 · $300,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Dec 2022 | Apr 9, 1997 · $100,000 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 Wilkes forecast zone and Wilkes County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does North Wilkesboro get?
A normal year brings about 5.6 inches of snow to North Wilkesboro, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the N Wilkesboro weather station 1 mile away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 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 North Wilkesboro?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 76 miles northeast. 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 North Wilkesboro | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 76 mi northeast | 6,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 108 mi southwest | 10,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 126 mi west | 13,800 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 North Wilkesboro
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 42 tornadoes within 25 miles of North Wilkesboro, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on May 7, 1998, which passed about 23 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on September 26, 2024, which touched down about 11 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 197 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on June 26, 2023.
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 North Wilkesboro'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.
North Wilkesboro radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to North Wilkesboro, NC?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 76 miles northeast. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 108 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in North Wilkesboro?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over North Wilkesboro the lowest scan from KFCX is about 6,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for North Wilkesboro 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 North Wilkesboro, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Wilkesboro, NC radar 3 mi
- Elkin, NC radar 17 mi
- Jonesville, NC radar 18 mi
- Taylorsville, NC radar 18 mi
- Sparta, NC radar 23 mi
- Boonville, NC radar 24 mi
- West Jefferson, NC radar 24 mi
- Jefferson, NC radar 25 mi
- Yadkinville, NC radar 27 mi
- Dobson, NC radar 28 mi