Aiken, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Aiken, Aiken County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Aiken?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 255 days in the Aiken forecast zone and Aiken County — the most common reported hazard around Aiken, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (13 days) and lightning casualties & damage (10 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 255 | Jun 2026 | Apr 6, 2011 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 13 | Aug 2025 | Jun 3, 2013 · $340,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | Apr 2022 | Jan 11, 2008 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 8 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 5 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · 10 deaths · $56 million damage |
| High winds | 5 | Jan 2022 | Oct 8, 2016 · $50,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2014 | — |
| Wildfires | 3 | Mar 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 Aiken forecast zone and Aiken County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Aiken?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 45 miles northeast. 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 Aiken | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 45 mi northeast | 3,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCLX Charleston, SC | 72 mi south-southeast | 5,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 98 mi north-northwest | 9,300 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 Aiken
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 88 tornadoes within 25 miles of Aiken, 30 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF3 on April 13, 2020, which passed about 24 miles southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 12, 2025, which touched down about 6 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 204 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 8 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 29, 2017.
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 Aiken'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.
Aiken radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Aiken, SC?
KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 45 miles northeast. KCLX (Charleston, SC) is 72 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Aiken?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Aiken the lowest scan from KCAE is about 3,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Aiken 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 Aiken, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Burnettown, SC radar 8 mi
- New Ellenton, SC radar 8 mi
- North Augusta, SC radar 13 mi
- Jackson, SC radar 15 mi
- Williston, SC radar 20 mi
- Edgefield, SC radar 21 mi
- Johnston, SC radar 21 mi
- Blackville, SC radar 28 mi
- Batesburg-Leesville, SC radar 29 mi
- Barnwell, SC radar 29 mi