Oak Ridge, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Oak Ridge, Guilford County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Oak Ridge?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 198 days in the Guilford forecast zone and Guilford County — the most common reported hazard around Oak Ridge, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (96 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (46 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 198 | Jun 2026 | Apr 5, 2011 · $250,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 96 | Jul 2025 | Jun 3, 2009 · 1 death · $2.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 46 | Jan 2026 | Feb 25, 2015 · $500,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | Aug 2010 | Jun 12, 2010 · $1.5 million damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 7 | Sep 2022 | Oct 29, 2020 · $1.5 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Mar 2014 | Mar 6, 2014 · $8.1 million damage |
| Flooding | 5 | Sep 2018 | Sep 17, 2018 · $20 million damage |
| High winds | 4 | Feb 2010 | Apr 16, 2007 · $5,000 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 Guilford forecast zone and Guilford County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Oak Ridge get?
A normal year brings about 7.1 inches of snow to Oak Ridge, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Piedmont Triad Intl Ap weather station 6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 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 Oak Ridge?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 61 miles north-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 Oak Ridge | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 61 mi north-northwest | 4,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 91 mi east-southeast | 8,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 154 mi southwest | 18,900 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 Oak Ridge
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 56 tornadoes within 25 miles of Oak Ridge, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and March. The strongest was an F3 on March 20, 1998, which passed about 16 miles north of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on September 27, 2024, which touched down about 23 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 301 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on March 23, 2005.
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 Oak Ridge'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.
Oak Ridge radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Oak Ridge, NC?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 61 miles north-northwest. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 91 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Oak Ridge?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Oak Ridge the lowest scan from KFCX is about 4,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Stokesdale, NC radar 4 mi
- Summerfield, NC radar 6 mi
- Kernersville, NC radar 7 mi
- Walkertown, NC radar 10 mi
- Greensboro, NC radar 11 mi
- Walnut Cove, NC radar 12 mi
- Jamestown, NC radar 13 mi
- High Point, NC radar 13 mi
- Wallburg, NC radar 15 mi
- Madison, NC radar 15 mi