Rutherford College, NC Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Rutherford College, Burke County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for Rutherford CollegeWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Rutherford College?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 198 days in the Greater Burke forecast zone and Burke County — the most common reported hazard around Rutherford College, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (42 days) and flooding (28 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds198Jun 2026Jun 10, 2014 · $250,000 damage
Flash flooding42Sep 2024Sep 26, 2024 · $40 million damage
Flooding28Sep 2024Sep 27, 2024 · $100,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms19Jan 2026—
Lightning casualties & damage18Jul 2025Jul 23, 2012 · $1.0 million damage
High winds10Mar 2018Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill7Feb 2026—
Ice storms & sleet4Jan 2019—

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 Greater Burke forecast zone and Burke County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Rutherford College?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGSP (Greer, SC), about 72 miles south-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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over Rutherford CollegeView
KGSP
Greer, SC		72 mi south-southwest5,900 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KMRX
Knoxville, TN		109 mi west-northwest10,900 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KFCX
Blacksburg, VA		112 mi northeast11,500 ftLimited — 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 Rutherford College

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 64 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rutherford College, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and October. The strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1989, which passed about 8 miles southeast of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 8, 2024, which passed about 23 miles south-southwest of town.

Hail: 341 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 24, 2000.

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 Rutherford College'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.

Rutherford College radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Rutherford College, NC?

KGSP (Greer, SC), about 72 miles south-southwest. KMRX (Knoxville, TN) is 109 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Rutherford College?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rutherford College the lowest scan from KGSP is about 5,900 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Rutherford College 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 Rutherford College, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

Radar for nearby towns

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