Richlands, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Richlands, Onslow County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Richlands?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 111 days in the Inland Onslow forecast zone and Onslow County — the most common reported hazard around Richlands, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (35 days) and flooding (13 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 111 | May 2026 | May 26, 2006 · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 35 | Aug 2025 | Sep 30, 2010 · $7.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 13 | May 2018 | Jun 28, 2006 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 9 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Apr 2025 | Apr 11, 2025 · 1 death |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 4 | Aug 2024 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 4 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 1 | Jan 2022 | — |
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 Inland Onslow forecast zone and Onslow County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Richlands?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMHX (Morehead City, NC), about 39 miles east-southeast. 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 Richlands | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 39 mi east-southeast | 2,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 75 mi northwest | 6,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 81 mi southwest | 7,000 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 Richlands
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 106 tornadoes within 25 miles of Richlands, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F3 on March 17, 1965, which passed about 20 miles east-northeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on August 7, 2024, which touched down about 18 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 163 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 21, 1997.
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 Richlands'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.
Richlands radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Richlands, NC?
KMHX (Morehead City, NC), about 39 miles east-southeast. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 75 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Richlands?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Richlands the lowest scan from KMHX is about 2,500 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Richlands 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 Richlands, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- River Bend, NC radar 25 mi
- Kinston, NC radar 26 mi
- Swansboro, NC radar 27 mi
- Wallace, NC radar 28 mi
- Rose Hill, NC radar 28 mi
- Holly Ridge, NC radar 28 mi
- Trent Woods, NC radar 28 mi
- North Topsail Beach, NC radar 29 mi