Bethune, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bethune, Kershaw County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bethune?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 190 days in the Kershaw forecast zone and Kershaw County — the most common reported hazard around Bethune, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (15 days) and flash flooding (11 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 190 | Jun 2026 | Jun 20, 1996 · 1 death · $18,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 15 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 11 | Aug 2024 | Oct 4, 2015 · 1 death · $20,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Jan 2026 | Jan 30, 2010 · $20,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 5 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $3.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jun 2017 | Mar 17, 2012 · $400,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | May 2016 | May 8, 2013 · $5,000 damage |
| High winds | 2 | Oct 2016 | Oct 8, 2016 · $600,000 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 Kershaw forecast zone and Kershaw County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Bethune?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 55 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 Bethune | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 55 mi southwest | 4,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 111 mi west-northwest | 11,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 114 mi east-southeast | 11,700 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 Bethune
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 65 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bethune, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 8, 1957, which passed about 17 miles north of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 16, 2022, which passed about 22 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 151 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 15 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on March 12, 1967.
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 Bethune'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.
Bethune radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bethune, SC?
KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 55 miles southwest. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 111 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bethune?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bethune the lowest scan from KCAE is about 4,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bethune 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 Bethune, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Bishopville, SC radar 15 mi
- Hartsville, SC radar 15 mi
- Kershaw, SC radar 16 mi
- Camden, SC radar 18 mi
- Pageland, SC radar 25 mi
- Chesterfield, SC radar 27 mi
- Darlington, SC radar 29 mi
- Timmonsville, SC radar 30 mi
- Elgin, SC radar 30 mi
- Cheraw, SC radar 32 mi