Plain View, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Plain View, Sampson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Plain View?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 158 days in the Sampson forecast zone and Sampson County — the most common reported hazard around Plain View, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (37 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (25 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 158 | Jun 2026 | May 29, 2017 · $3.5 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 37 | May 2026 | Oct 8, 2016 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 25 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 11 | Sep 2022 | Sep 13, 2018 · 2 deaths · $1.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 6 | Jul 2025 | — |
| High winds | 5 | Oct 2016 | Oct 8, 2016 · $500,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 5 | Jun 2018 | Mar 29, 2010 · $300,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 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 Sampson forecast zone and Sampson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Plain View get?
A normal year brings about 2.1 inches of snow to Plain View, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Dunn 4 Nw weather station 9.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 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 Plain View?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 29 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 Plain View | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 29 mi north | 1,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 87 mi south | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 101 mi east-southeast | 9,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Plain View
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 68 tornadoes within 25 miles of Plain View, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and November. The strongest was an F4 on April 8, 1957, which passed about 21 miles south of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 4, 2025, which touched down about 13 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 234 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 15 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on September 1, 2017.
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 Plain View'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.
Plain View radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Plain View, NC?
KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 29 miles north. KLTX (Wilmington, NC) is 87 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Plain View?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Plain View the lowest scan from KRAX is about 1,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Plain View 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 Plain View, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Dunn, NC radar 6 mi
- Erwin, NC radar 8 mi
- Benson, NC radar 10 mi
- Coats, NC radar 13 mi
- Four Oaks, NC radar 16 mi
- Eastover, NC radar 16 mi
- Stedman, NC radar 18 mi
- Lillington, NC radar 18 mi
- Roseboro, NC radar 20 mi
- Angier, NC radar 21 mi