Richfield, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Richfield, Stanly County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Richfield?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 133 days in the Stanly forecast zone and Stanly County — the most common reported hazard around Richfield, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (58 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 133 | Jun 2026 | Jun 13, 2013 · $2.5 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 58 | Aug 2025 | Jun 16, 2003 · 5 deaths |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 28 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 8 | Sep 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 · $750,000 damage |
| Flooding | 8 | Sep 2018 | Sep 17, 2018 · $24 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 1998 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Aug 2010 | Jul 27, 2009 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 3 | Feb 2010 | Feb 10, 2010 · $1,000 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 Stanly forecast zone and Stanly County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Richfield?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 100 miles east. 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 Richfield | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 100 mi east | 9,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 107 mi north | 10,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 116 mi south-southwest | 12,100 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 Richfield
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 57 tornadoes within 25 miles of Richfield, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and February. The strongest was an EF2 on November 16, 2011, which passed about 18 miles north of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 7, 2023, which passed about 17 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 218 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 23 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 27, 1998.
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 Richfield'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.
Richfield radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Richfield, NC?
KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 100 miles east. KFCX (Blacksburg, VA) is 107 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Richfield?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Richfield the lowest scan from KRAX is about 9,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Richfield 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 Richfield, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Rockwell, NC radar 10 mi
- Mount Pleasant, NC radar 11 mi
- Denton, NC radar 14 mi
- Granite Quarry, NC radar 14 mi
- East Spencer, NC radar 17 mi
- Locust, NC radar 17 mi
- Oakboro, NC radar 17 mi
- Spencer, NC radar 18 mi