Pinnacle, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Pinnacle, Stokes County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Pinnacle?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 167 days in the Stokes forecast zone and Stokes County — the most common reported hazard around Pinnacle, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (39 days) and flash flooding (17 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 167 | Jun 2026 | Mar 5, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 39 | Jan 2026 | Feb 4, 2010 · 1 death · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 17 | Aug 2025 | Oct 11, 2018 · $1.4 million damage |
| High winds | 13 | Feb 2025 | Apr 16, 2007 · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 11 | Sep 2024 | Sep 18, 2024 · $10,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Jun 2023 | Jul 29, 1999 · $50,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 2005 | Feb 1, 1996 · $10,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 2 | Mar 1996 | Feb 3, 1996 · $35,000 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 Stokes forecast zone and Stokes County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Pinnacle get?
A normal year brings about 6.2 inches of snow to Pinnacle, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the King weather station 4.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 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 Pinnacle?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 49 miles north. 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 Pinnacle | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 49 mi north | 3,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 117 mi east-southeast | 12,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 142 mi southwest | 16,600 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 Pinnacle
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 48 tornadoes within 25 miles of Pinnacle, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an F3 on May 5, 1989, which passed about 18 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on April 28, 2023, which touched down about 23 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 264 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 5, 1985.
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 Pinnacle'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.
Pinnacle radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Pinnacle, NC?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 49 miles north. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 117 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Pinnacle?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Pinnacle the lowest scan from KFCX is about 3,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Pinnacle 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 Pinnacle, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- King, NC radar 5 mi
- Pilot Mountain, NC radar 5 mi
- Tobaccoville, NC radar 8 mi
- Rural Hall, NC radar 10 mi
- Lewisville, NC radar 15 mi
- Walnut Cove, NC radar 16 mi
- Mount Airy, NC radar 17 mi
- Boonville, NC radar 17 mi
- Dobson, NC radar 17 mi
- Winston-Salem, NC radar 18 mi