Polkton, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Polkton, Anson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Polkton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 124 days in the Anson forecast zone and Anson County — the most common reported hazard around Polkton, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (36 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (24 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 124 | Jul 2025 | Jun 18, 2011 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 36 | Sep 2024 | Sep 15, 2018 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 24 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 8 | Sep 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 · $750,000 damage |
| Flooding | 7 | May 2020 | Sep 17, 2018 · $36 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 1998 | — |
| High winds | 3 | Feb 2010 | Feb 10, 2010 · $1,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Jun 2010 | Jun 26, 2010 · $75,000 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 Anson forecast zone and Anson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Polkton get?
A normal year brings about 3.2 inches of snow to Polkton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wadesboro weather station 7.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 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 Polkton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 90 miles 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 Polkton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 90 mi southwest | 8,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 107 mi east-northeast | 10,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 115 mi west | 11,900 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 Polkton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 46 tornadoes within 25 miles of Polkton, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. 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 EF1 on March 5, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 130 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 25, 1986.
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 Polkton'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.
Polkton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Polkton, NC?
KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 90 miles southwest. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 107 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Polkton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Polkton the lowest scan from KCAE is about 8,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Polkton 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 Polkton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Wadesboro, NC radar 7 mi
- Marshville, NC radar 10 mi
- Wingate, NC radar 14 mi
- Norwood, NC radar 17 mi
- Oakboro, NC radar 17 mi
- Mount Gilead, NC radar 18 mi
- Unionville, NC radar 19 mi
- Monroe, NC radar 21 mi
- Stanfield, NC radar 21 mi
- Fairview, NC radar 21 mi