Swannanoa, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Swannanoa, Buncombe County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Swannanoa?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 152 days in the Buncombe forecast zone and Buncombe County — the most common reported hazard around Swannanoa, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (64 days) and high winds (56 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 152 | Jun 2026 | Jun 17, 2022 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 64 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 56 | Feb 2026 | Apr 16, 2007 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 32 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · 15 deaths · $300 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 23 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 15 | Jan 2019 | Dec 15, 2005 · $75,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Feb 2011 | Jun 8, 2009 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 13 | Sep 2024 | Sep 16, 2004 · 2 deaths · $40 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 Buncombe forecast zone and Buncombe County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Swannanoa get?
A normal year brings about 29 inches of snow to Swannanoa, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Swannanoa 2 Sse weather station 1.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (6.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.1 | 5.2 | 6.8 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 2.5 | 0.7 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Swannanoa?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGSP (Greer, SC), about 50 miles south. 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 Swannanoa | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGSP Greer, SC | 50 mi south | 3,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 69 mi northwest | 5,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 135 mi south-southeast | 15,300 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 Swannanoa
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 18 tornadoes within 25 miles of Swannanoa, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and February. The strongest was an F2 on May 7, 1998, which passed about 23 miles east of town. The most recent was an EF0 on December 29, 2024, which touched down about 24 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 288 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 16 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 8, 2024.
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 Swannanoa'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.
Swannanoa radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Swannanoa, NC?
KGSP (Greer, SC), about 50 miles south. KMRX (Knoxville, TN) is 69 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Swannanoa?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Swannanoa the lowest scan from KGSP is about 3,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Swannanoa 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 Swannanoa, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Montreat, NC radar 6 mi
- Asheville, NC radar 10 mi
- Biltmore Forest, NC radar 10 mi
- Weaverville, NC radar 12 mi
- Woodfin, NC radar 12 mi
- Fletcher, NC radar 13 mi
- Lake Lure, NC radar 15 mi
- Mars Hill, NC radar 18 mi
- Mills River, NC radar 19 mi