Sims, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sims, Wilson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sims?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 103 days in the Wilson forecast zone and Wilson County — the most common reported hazard around Sims, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (35 days) and flash flooding (33 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 103 | Jun 2026 | Apr 30, 2023 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 35 | Jan 2026 | Feb 25, 2015 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 33 | Jun 2025 | Sep 15, 2018 · $25 million damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 13 | Sep 2022 | Aug 27, 1998 · $50 million damage |
| High winds | 6 | Aug 2011 | Aug 27, 2011 · $350,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 6 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 1998 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jun 2011 | Jun 13, 2010 · $500,000 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 Wilson forecast zone and Wilson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sims get?
A normal year brings about 1.9 inches of snow to Sims, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wilson 3 Sw weather station 7.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 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 Sims?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 25 miles west-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 Sims | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 25 mi west-southwest | 1,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 95 mi southeast | 8,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 103 mi northeast | 10,000 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 Sims
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 89 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sims, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an EF3 on April 16, 2011, which passed about 24 miles northwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 13, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles east of town.
Hail: 226 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 24, 1986.
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 Sims'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.
Sims radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sims, NC?
KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 25 miles west-southwest. KMHX (Morehead City, NC) is 95 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sims?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sims the lowest scan from KRAX is about 1,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sims 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 Sims, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Wilson, NC radar 8 mi
- Lucama, NC radar 8 mi
- Kenly, NC radar 12 mi
- Elm City, NC radar 12 mi
- Spring Hope, NC radar 13 mi
- Sharpsburg, NC radar 15 mi
- Zebulon, NC radar 15 mi
- Nashville, NC radar 16 mi
- Fremont, NC radar 16 mi
- Wendell, NC radar 16 mi