Raeford, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Raeford, Hoke County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Raeford?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 78 days in the Hoke forecast zone and Hoke County — the most common reported hazard around Raeford, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (25 days) and flash flooding (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 78 | Jun 2026 | May 16, 2010 · $300,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 25 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 22 | Jul 2025 | Oct 8, 2016 · $3.1 million damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 10 | Sep 2022 | Sep 13, 2018 · $1.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 1998 | — |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Jul 2025 | — |
| High winds | 4 | Oct 2016 | Oct 8, 2016 · $500,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | May 2016 | Feb 28, 2011 · $50,000 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 Hoke forecast zone and Hoke County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Raeford get?
A normal year brings about 2.8 inches of snow to Raeford, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Raeford weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (1.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 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 Raeford?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 63 miles northeast. 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 Raeford | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 63 mi northeast | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 82 mi southeast | 7,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 129 mi west-southwest | 14,300 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 Raeford
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 68 tornadoes within 25 miles of Raeford, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and March. The strongest was an F4 on March 28, 1984, which passed about 24 miles south-southwest of town and caused 7 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 14, 2024, which touched down about 20 miles south of town.
Hail: 222 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on May 23, 1975.
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 Raeford'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.
Raeford radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Raeford, NC?
KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 63 miles northeast. KLTX (Wilmington, NC) is 82 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Raeford?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Raeford the lowest scan from KRAX is about 4,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Raeford 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 Raeford, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Red Springs, NC radar 12 mi
- Hope Mills, NC radar 15 mi
- Aberdeen, NC radar 16 mi
- Fayetteville, NC radar 16 mi
- Pinebluff, NC radar 16 mi
- Southern Pines, NC radar 18 mi
- Maxton, NC radar 18 mi
- St. Pauls, NC radar 19 mi
- Vass, NC radar 19 mi
- Spring Lake, NC radar 19 mi