Waco, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Waco, Cleveland County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Waco?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 182 days in the Cleveland forecast zone and Cleveland County — the most common reported hazard around Waco, mostly in July and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (29 days) and lightning casualties & damage (23 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 182 | Aug 2025 | Apr 5, 2011 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 29 | Jan 2026 | Feb 26, 2004 · $2,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 23 | Jun 2018 | May 24, 2001 · $2.0 million damage |
| High winds | 15 | Feb 2016 | Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Jun 2025 | Sep 27, 2024 · $2.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Dec 2005 | Dec 4, 2002 · $9.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 6 | Mar 2021 | Feb 6, 2020 · $1.0 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 Cleveland forecast zone and Cleveland County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Waco get?
A normal year brings about 4.0 inches of snow to Waco, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Shelby 2 Nw weather station 8.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 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 Waco?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGSP (Greer, SC), about 56 miles 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 Waco | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGSP Greer, SC | 56 mi southwest | 4,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 99 mi south | 9,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 124 mi west-northwest | 13,400 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 Waco
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 93 tornadoes within 25 miles of Waco, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1989, which passed about 11 miles northwest of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on December 29, 2024, which passed about 18 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 346 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 30 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 3, 1998.
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 Waco'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.
Waco radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Waco, NC?
KGSP (Greer, SC), about 56 miles southwest. KCAE (Columbia, SC) is 99 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Waco?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Waco the lowest scan from KGSP is about 4,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Waco 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 Waco, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Cherryville, NC radar 3 mi
- Shelby, NC radar 8 mi
- Kings Mountain, NC radar 10 mi
- Bessemer City, NC radar 10 mi
- Lincolnton, NC radar 13 mi
- Dallas, NC radar 14 mi
- Boiling Springs, NC radar 15 mi
- Gastonia, NC radar 16 mi
- Ranlo, NC radar 18 mi
- Stanley, NC radar 19 mi