Rockwell, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rockwell, Rowan County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rockwell?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 215 days in the Rowan forecast zone and Rowan County — the most common reported hazard around Rockwell, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (29 days) and flash flooding (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 215 | Mar 2026 | Jul 21, 2008 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 29 | Jan 2026 | Feb 26, 2004 · $5,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 27 | Aug 2024 | Aug 16, 2003 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 13 | Jan 2022 | Mar 3, 1999 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 13 | Jun 2025 | Apr 10, 2003 · $200,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 13 | Jul 2012 | Jul 10, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Dec 2005 | Dec 15, 2005 · 1 death · $25,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Feb 2026 | Jan 4, 2002 · 1 death |
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 Rowan forecast zone and Rowan County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rockwell get?
A normal year brings about 2.4 inches of snow to Rockwell, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Salisbury weather station 9.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 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 Rockwell?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 102 miles north. 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 Rockwell | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 102 mi north | 9,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 108 mi east | 10,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 112 mi west-southwest | 11,500 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 Rockwell
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 54 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rockwell, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and February. The strongest was an EF2 on November 16, 2011, which passed about 17 miles northeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 11, 2024, which touched down about 19 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 240 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 7, 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 Rockwell'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.
Rockwell radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rockwell, NC?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 102 miles north. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 108 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rockwell?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rockwell the lowest scan from KFCX is about 9,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Rockwell 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 Rockwell, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Granite Quarry, NC radar 5 mi
- East Spencer, NC radar 9 mi
- Salisbury, NC radar 9 mi
- China Grove, NC radar 9 mi
- Spencer, NC radar 10 mi
- Mount Pleasant, NC radar 11 mi
- Landis, NC radar 11 mi
- Kannapolis, NC radar 14 mi
- Concord, NC radar 17 mi
- Denton, NC radar 18 mi