Rockfish, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rockfish, Hoke County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rockfish?
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 Rockfish, 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 Rockfish get?
A normal year brings about 2.8 inches of snow to Rockfish, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Raeford weather station 8.4 miles away. 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 Rockfish?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 57 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 Rockfish | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 57 mi northeast | 4,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 78 mi south-southeast | 6,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 125 mi east | 13,600 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 Rockfish
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 76 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rockfish, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on March 28, 1984, which passed about 9 miles south-southeast of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 14, 2024, which touched down about 24 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 234 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 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 Rockfish'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.
Rockfish radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rockfish, NC?
KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 57 miles northeast. KLTX (Wilmington, NC) is 78 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rockfish?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rockfish the lowest scan from KRAX is about 4,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rockfish 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 Rockfish, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hope Mills, NC radar 6 mi
- Fayetteville, NC radar 8 mi
- Raeford, NC radar 9 mi
- St. Pauls, NC radar 14 mi
- Spring Lake, NC radar 14 mi
- Red Springs, NC radar 14 mi
- Eastover, NC radar 18 mi
- Stedman, NC radar 21 mi
- Vass, NC radar 22 mi
- Pembroke, NC radar 23 mi