Waves, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Waves, Dare County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Waves?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 69 days in the Hatteras Island forecast zone and Dare County — the most common reported hazard around Waves, mostly in June and August. Next come flash flooding (14 days) and coastal flooding (10 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 69 | Jun 2026 | Apr 11, 1999 · $230,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Coastal flooding | 10 | Feb 2026 | — |
| High winds | 9 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | Aug 2023 | Aug 23, 2019 · 1 death |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 7 | Aug 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 3 | Jul 2012 | — |
| Storm surge | 2 | Aug 2025 | — |
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 Hatteras Island forecast zone and Dare County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Waves?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMHX (Morehead City, NC), about 97 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 Waves | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 97 mi southwest | 9,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 130 mi northwest | 14,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 170 mi west | 22,300 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 Waves
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 26 tornadoes within 25 miles of Waves, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and May. The strongest was an F2 on March 31, 1987, which passed about 14 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 15, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 5 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on June 22, 1990.
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 Waves'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.
Waves radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Waves, NC?
KMHX (Morehead City, NC), about 97 miles southwest. KAKQ (Wakefield, VA) is 130 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Waves?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Waves the lowest scan from KMHX is about 9,100 ft up — fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation.
Is TALON's radar for Waves 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 Waves, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Manteo, NC radar 25 mi
- Nags Head, NC radar 28 mi
- Kill Devil Hills, NC radar 33 mi
- Kitty Hawk, NC radar 38 mi
- Southern Shores, NC radar 41 mi