Sylva, NC Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for SylvaWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Sylva?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 82 days in the Northern Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County — the most common reported hazard around Sylva, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (57 days) and high winds (29 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds82Mar 2026Oct 25, 2001 · $100,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms57Jan 2026—
High winds29Mar 2025Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 damage
Flash flooding24Jul 2025Sep 27, 2024 · $10 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill20Feb 2026—
Lightning casualties & damage14Dec 2011Aug 8, 1999 · 1 death
Flooding13Sep 2024Sep 16, 2004 · $250,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet4Mar 1999—

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 Northern Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Sylva get?

A normal year brings about 4.3 inches of snow to Sylva, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cullowhee weather station 5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (1.5 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.10.01.51.30.70.70.00.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Sylva?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 56 miles north. 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 SylvaView
KMRX
Knoxville, TN		56 mi north4,100 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KGSP
Greer, SC		66 mi east-southeast5,200 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KJKL
Jackson, KY		153 mi north18,800 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 Sylva

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 14 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sylva, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and February. The strongest was an F2 on April 3, 1974, which passed about 20 miles west of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 8, 2024, which passed about 9 miles south-southwest of town.

Hail: 103 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on March 28, 1984.

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 Sylva'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.

Sylva radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Sylva, NC?

KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 56 miles north. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 66 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Sylva?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sylva the lowest scan from KMRX is about 4,100 ft up.

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

Radar for nearby towns

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