Rocky Point, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rocky Point, Pender County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rocky Point?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 79 days in the Inland Pender forecast zone and Pender County — the most common reported hazard around Rocky Point, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (38 days) and flooding (15 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 79 | Mar 2026 | Mar 15, 2008 · $2.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 38 | Aug 2024 | Sep 15, 2018 · 1 death · $5.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 15 | Jul 2023 | Aug 9, 2014 · $20,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Jun 2025 | Jun 29, 2025 · 1 death |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 8 | Sep 2023 | Sep 14, 2018 · $300 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 7 | Feb 2026 | Feb 11, 2014 · 1 death |
| Wildfires | 5 | Apr 2014 | Apr 4, 2014 · $46,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Jun 2015 | — |
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 Pender forecast zone and Pender County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Rocky Point?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLTX (Wilmington, NC), about 44 miles southwest. 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 Rocky Point | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 44 mi southwest | 3,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 62 mi east-northeast | 4,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 91 mi north-northwest | 8,300 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 Rocky Point
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 101 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rocky Point, 9 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and August. The strongest was an F3 on November 16, 2006, which touched down about 20 miles west-southwest of town and caused 8 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 6, 2025, which touched down about 11 miles south of town.
Hail: 162 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on June 16, 1971.
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 Rocky Point'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.
Rocky Point radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rocky Point, NC?
KLTX (Wilmington, NC), about 44 miles southwest. KMHX (Morehead City, NC) is 62 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rocky Point?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rocky Point the lowest scan from KLTX is about 3,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rocky Point 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 Rocky Point, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Burgaw, NC radar 8 mi
- Navassa, NC radar 14 mi
- Wilmington, NC radar 16 mi
- Wrightsville Beach, NC radar 17 mi
- Belville, NC radar 17 mi
- Northwest, NC radar 17 mi
- Leland, NC radar 18 mi
- Holly Ridge, NC radar 19 mi
- Surf City, NC radar 20 mi
- Wallace, NC radar 21 mi