Oriental, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Oriental, Pamlico County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Oriental?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 36 days in the Pamlico forecast zone and Pamlico County — the most common reported hazard around Oriental, mostly in June and March. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (23 days) and hurricanes & tropical storms (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 36 | Jun 2026 | Aug 16, 2000 · $30,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 23 | Feb 2026 | Feb 3, 1996 · $15,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 22 | Aug 2020 | Sep 17, 2003 · $55 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Aug 2025 | Sep 30, 2010 · $10,000 damage |
| Storm surge | 5 | Sep 2023 | Aug 26, 2011 · $50 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Coastal flooding | 3 | Oct 2015 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 1 | Mar 1998 | — |
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 Pamlico forecast zone and Pamlico County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Oriental get?
A normal year brings about 1.1 inches of snow to Oriental, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bayboro 3 Sw weather station 10.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 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 Oriental?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMHX (Morehead City, NC), about 21 miles south-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 Oriental | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 21 mi south-southwest | 1,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 111 mi west-northwest | 11,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 123 mi southwest | 13,200 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 Oriental
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 101 tornadoes within 25 miles of Oriental, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and July. The strongest was an F3 on March 17, 1965, which passed about 10 miles north-northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on January 10, 2024, which passed about 24 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 122 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on June 9, 1988.
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 Oriental'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.
Oriental radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Oriental, NC?
KMHX (Morehead City, NC), about 21 miles south-southwest. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 111 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Oriental?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Oriental the lowest scan from KMHX is about 1,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Oriental 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 Oriental, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Bayboro, NC radar 10 mi
- Havelock, NC radar 15 mi
- Morehead City, NC radar 21 mi
- Newport, NC radar 21 mi
- Beaufort, NC radar 21 mi
- New Bern, NC radar 23 mi
- Atlantic Beach, NC radar 23 mi
- Trent Woods, NC radar 24 mi
- Pine Knoll Shores, NC radar 25 mi
- River Bend, NC radar 27 mi