Waynesville, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Waynesville, Haywood County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Waynesville?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 96 days in the Haywood forecast zone and Haywood County — the most common reported hazard around Waynesville, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (56 days) and high winds (31 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 96 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 56 | Mar 2026 | Apr 20, 1996 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 31 | Mar 2025 | Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 25 | Sep 2024 | Aug 17, 2021 · 5 deaths · $200 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 22 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Jan 2000 | — |
| Flooding | 8 | Sep 2024 | Sep 16, 2004 · 3 deaths · $15 million damage |
| Debris flows | 7 | Aug 2021 | Aug 17, 2021 · 1 death · $200,000 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 Haywood forecast zone and Haywood County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Waynesville get?
A normal year brings about 11 inches of snow to Waynesville, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Waynesville 1 E weather station 1.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually March (3.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 3.0 | 0.4 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Waynesville?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 52 miles north-northwest. 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 Waynesville | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 52 mi north-northwest | 3,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 61 mi southeast | 4,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 147 mi north | 17,500 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 Waynesville
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 18 tornadoes within 25 miles of Waynesville, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F2 on January 10, 1975, which passed about 23 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 8, 2024, which passed about 20 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 130 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on June 24, 1986.
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 Waynesville'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.
Waynesville radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Waynesville, NC?
KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 52 miles north-northwest. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 61 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Waynesville?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Waynesville the lowest scan from KMRX is about 3,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Waynesville 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 Waynesville, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Clyde, NC radar 6 mi
- Canton, NC radar 10 mi
- Sylva, NC radar 15 mi
- Brevard, NC radar 22 mi
- Mills River, NC radar 24 mi
- Woodfin, NC radar 25 mi
- Bryson City, NC radar 26 mi
- Asheville, NC radar 26 mi
- Biltmore Forest, NC radar 26 mi