Saluda, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Saluda, Polk County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Saluda?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 87 days in the Polk Mountains forecast zone and Polk County — the most common reported hazard around Saluda, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (22 days) and flash flooding (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 87 | Jun 2025 | May 2, 2003 · $25,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 22 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 22 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · 1 death · $15 million damage |
| High winds | 8 | Sep 2017 | Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 8 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $10,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Jul 2019 | Jun 2, 1997 · $100,000 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 Polk Mountains forecast zone and Polk County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Saluda get?
A normal year brings about 4.9 inches of snow to Saluda, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Tryon weather station 5.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 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 Saluda?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGSP (Greer, SC), about 26 miles south-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 Saluda | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGSP Greer, SC | 26 mi south-southeast | 1,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 87 mi northwest | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 113 mi southeast | 11,600 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 Saluda
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 34 tornadoes within 25 miles of Saluda, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in October and April. The strongest was an F3 on May 27, 1973, which passed about 23 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on December 29, 2024, which touched down about 16 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 351 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 20 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 10, 2011.
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 Saluda'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.
Saluda radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Saluda, NC?
KGSP (Greer, SC), about 26 miles south-southeast. KMRX (Knoxville, TN) is 87 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Saluda?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Saluda the lowest scan from KGSP is about 1,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Saluda 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 Saluda, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Flat Rock, NC radar 6 mi
- Tryon, NC radar 6 mi
- Columbus, NC radar 8 mi
- Hendersonville, NC radar 9 mi
- Laurel Park, NC radar 10 mi
- Fletcher, NC radar 16 mi
- Lake Lure, NC radar 17 mi
- Mills River, NC radar 17 mi
- Brevard, NC radar 22 mi
- Biltmore Forest, NC radar 23 mi