Whittier, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Whittier, Jackson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Whittier?
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 Whittier, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (57 days) and high winds (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 82 | Mar 2026 | Oct 25, 2001 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 57 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 29 | Mar 2025 | Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 24 | Jul 2025 | Sep 27, 2024 · $10 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Dec 2011 | Aug 8, 1999 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 13 | Sep 2024 | Sep 16, 2004 · $250,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Mar 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 Whittier get?
A normal year brings about 6.5 inches of snow to Whittier, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cherokee weather station 4.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 2.0 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 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 Whittier?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 51 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Whittier | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 51 mi north | 3,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 75 mi east-southeast | 6,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 149 mi north | 18,000 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 Whittier
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 14 tornadoes within 25 miles of Whittier, 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 13 miles west-southwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 8, 2024, which passed about 14 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 84 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 26, 2012.
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 Whittier'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.
Whittier radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Whittier, NC?
KMRX (Knoxville, TN), about 51 miles north. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 75 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Whittier?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Whittier the lowest scan from KMRX is about 3,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Whittier 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 Whittier, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Bryson City, NC radar 5 mi
- Sylva, NC radar 9 mi
- Maggie Valley, NC radar 18 mi
- Franklin, NC radar 18 mi
- Waynesville, NC radar 20 mi
- Clyde, NC radar 26 mi
- Highlands, NC radar 28 mi
- Canton, NC radar 30 mi
- Andrews, NC radar 31 mi
- Brevard, NC radar 38 mi