Bluffton, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bluffton, Beaufort County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bluffton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 214 days in the Beaufort forecast zone and Beaufort County — the most common reported hazard around Bluffton, mostly in June and July. Next come lightning casualties & damage (46 days) and flash flooding (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 214 | Jun 2026 | Sep 20, 2021 · $100,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 46 | Jul 2025 | Jul 30, 2007 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 27 | Aug 2025 | Jul 21, 2014 · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 2 | Aug 2024 | Jul 7, 2020 · $10,000 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 Beaufort forecast zone and Beaufort County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Bluffton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCLX (Charleston, SC), about 31 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 Bluffton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCLX Charleston, SC | 31 mi north-northwest | 1,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 120 mi north | 12,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KJAX Jacksonville, FL | 128 mi south-southwest | 14,100 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 Bluffton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 75 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bluffton, 8 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on April 9, 1998, which passed about 22 miles west of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 10, 2025, which touched down about 10 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 229 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 16 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on April 5, 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 Bluffton'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.
Bluffton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bluffton, SC?
KCLX (Charleston, SC), about 31 miles north-northwest. KCAE (Columbia, SC) is 120 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Bluffton?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Bluffton the lowest scan from KCLX is about 1,900 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Bluffton 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 Bluffton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hardeeville, SC radar 9 mi
- Hilton Head Island, SC radar 11 mi
- Port Royal, SC radar 17 mi
- Ridgeland, SC radar 18 mi
- Beaufort, SC radar 21 mi
- Yemassee, SC radar 32 mi
- Edisto Beach, SC radar 41 mi
- Estill, SC radar 41 mi
- Varnville, SC radar 45 mi
- Hampton, SC radar 46 mi