Ocracoke, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ocracoke, Hyde County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ocracoke?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 52 days in the Ocracoke Island forecast zone and Hyde County — the most common reported hazard around Ocracoke, mostly in June and July. Next come coastal flooding (7 days) and high winds (6 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 52 | Jul 2025 | Mar 8, 2005 · $50,000 damage |
| Coastal flooding | 7 | Feb 2026 | — |
| High winds | 6 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 3 | Aug 2024 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 3 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 2 | Oct 2015 | — |
| Storm surge | 1 | Aug 2025 | — |
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 Ocracoke Island forecast zone and Hyde County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ocracoke get?
A normal year brings about 1.7 inches of snow to Ocracoke, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ocracoke weather station 2.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 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 Ocracoke?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMHX (Morehead City, NC), about 54 miles west-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 Ocracoke | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 54 mi west-southwest | 3,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 144 mi north-northwest | 16,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 146 mi west-northwest | 17,400 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 Ocracoke
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 16 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ocracoke, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and November. The strongest was an F2 on November 10, 1990, which passed about 23 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on September 2, 2016, which touched down about 20 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 7 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on June 3, 1998.
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 Ocracoke'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.
Ocracoke radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ocracoke, NC?
KMHX (Morehead City, NC), about 54 miles west-southwest. KAKQ (Wakefield, VA) is 144 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Ocracoke?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Ocracoke the lowest scan from KMHX is about 3,900 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Ocracoke 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 Ocracoke, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Bayboro, NC radar 44 mi
- Beaufort, NC radar 44 mi
- Belhaven, NC radar 48 mi
- Morehead City, NC radar 48 mi
- Atlantic Beach, NC radar 49 mi
- Havelock, NC radar 52 mi
- Pine Knoll Shores, NC radar 54 mi
- Newport, NC radar 54 mi
- Manteo, NC radar 60 mi
- New Bern, NC radar 61 mi