Watha, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Watha, Pender County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Watha?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 79 days in the Inland Pender forecast zone and Pender County — the most common reported hazard around Watha, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (38 days) and flooding (15 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 79 | Mar 2026 | Mar 15, 2008 · $2.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 38 | Aug 2024 | Sep 15, 2018 · 1 death · $5.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 15 | Jul 2023 | Aug 9, 2014 · $20,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Jun 2025 | Jun 29, 2025 · 1 death |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 8 | Sep 2023 | Sep 14, 2018 · $300 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 7 | Feb 2026 | Feb 11, 2014 · 1 death |
| Wildfires | 5 | Apr 2014 | Apr 4, 2014 · $46,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Jun 2015 | — |
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 Inland Pender forecast zone and Pender County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Watha?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLTX (Wilmington, NC), about 53 miles south-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 Watha | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 53 mi south-southwest | 3,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 62 mi east | 4,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 76 mi north-northwest | 6,400 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 Watha
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 73 tornadoes within 25 miles of Watha, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and September. The strongest was an F3 on April 8, 1957, which passed about 14 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on March 16, 2025, which passed about 10 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 121 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 May 21, 2000.
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 Watha'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.
Watha radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Watha, NC?
KLTX (Wilmington, NC), about 53 miles south-southwest. KMHX (Morehead City, NC) is 62 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Watha?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Watha the lowest scan from KLTX is about 3,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Watha 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 Watha, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Wallace, NC radar 6 mi
- Burgaw, NC radar 7 mi
- Rose Hill, NC radar 13 mi
- Beulaville, NC radar 22 mi
- Holly Ridge, NC radar 25 mi
- Warsaw, NC radar 25 mi
- Northwest, NC radar 26 mi
- Navassa, NC radar 26 mi
- Surf City, NC radar 28 mi
- Richlands, NC radar 29 mi