Winston-Salem, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Winston-Salem, Forsyth County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Winston-Salem?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 179 days in the Forsyth forecast zone and Forsyth County — the most common reported hazard around Winston-Salem, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (48 days) and flash flooding (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 179 | Jun 2026 | Mar 5, 1997 · 1 death · $20,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 48 | Jan 2026 | Jan 10, 2011 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 42 | Jan 2024 | Oct 11, 2018 · $250,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 8 | Sep 2022 | Oct 29, 2020 · $1.5 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Mar 2014 | Mar 6, 2014 · $400,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Aug 2021 | Jun 11, 2007 · $175,000 damage |
| High winds | 3 | Feb 2010 | Feb 10, 2010 · $1,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | Apr 2003 | Mar 20, 2003 · $150,000 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 Forsyth forecast zone and Forsyth County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Winston-Salem get?
A normal year brings about 6.2 inches of snow to Winston-Salem, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the King weather station 13.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 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 Winston-Salem?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 64 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 Winston-Salem | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 64 mi north | 5,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 104 mi east-southeast | 10,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 139 mi southwest | 16,000 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 Winston-Salem
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 61 tornadoes within 25 miles of Winston-Salem, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an F3 on May 5, 1989, which crossed near town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 26, 2022, which touched down about 23 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 270 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 15 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on June 4, 1993.
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 Winston-Salem'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.
Winston-Salem radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Winston-Salem, NC?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 64 miles north. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Winston-Salem?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Winston-Salem the lowest scan from KFCX is about 5,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Walkertown, NC radar 6 mi
- Wallburg, NC radar 8 mi
- Clemmons, NC radar 9 mi
- Rural Hall, NC radar 9 mi
- Midway, NC radar 9 mi
- Lewisville, NC radar 9 mi
- Kernersville, NC radar 10 mi
- Tobaccoville, NC radar 10 mi
- Bermuda Run, NC radar 12 mi
- King, NC radar 13 mi