Speed, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Speed, Edgecombe County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Speed?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 87 days in the Edgecombe forecast zone and Edgecombe County — the most common reported hazard around Speed, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (32 days) and flash flooding (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 87 | Jun 2026 | Jul 1, 2012 · 1 death · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 32 | Jan 2026 | Jan 20, 2009 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 32 | Sep 2024 | Sep 15, 1999 · 8 deaths |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 12 | Sep 2022 | Aug 4, 2020 · $1.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Jul 2025 | Aug 2, 1999 · 1 death |
| High winds | 6 | Aug 2011 | Aug 27, 2011 · $43 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 1998 | — |
| Flooding | 4 | Oct 2016 | Oct 9, 2016 · $89 million 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 Edgecombe forecast zone and Edgecombe County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Speed get?
A normal year brings about 4.8 inches of snow to Speed, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Tarboro 1 S weather station 7.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 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 Speed?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 62 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 Speed | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 62 mi west-southwest | 4,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 74 mi north-northeast | 6,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 88 mi south-southeast | 8,000 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 Speed
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 60 tornadoes within 25 miles of Speed, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on March 28, 1984, which passed about 24 miles southeast of town and caused 16 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 13, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 157 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 31, 2019.
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 Speed'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.
Speed radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Speed, NC?
KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), about 62 miles west-southwest. KAKQ (Wakefield, VA) is 74 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Speed?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Speed the lowest scan from KRAX is about 4,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Speed 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 Speed, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Princeville, NC radar 7 mi
- Tarboro, NC radar 8 mi
- Scotland Neck, NC radar 11 mi
- Bethel, NC radar 12 mi
- Robersonville, NC radar 15 mi
- Pinetops, NC radar 16 mi
- Enfield, NC radar 19 mi
- Rocky Mount, NC radar 20 mi
- Sharpsburg, NC radar 23 mi
- Williamston, NC radar 23 mi