Bowman, SC Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Bowman, Orangeburg County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

What weather hits Bowman?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 256 days in the Southeastern Orangeburg forecast zone and Orangeburg County — the most common reported hazard around Bowman, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (24 days) and lightning casualties & damage (7 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds256Jun 2026May 29, 2012 · 1 death · $4,000 damage
Flash flooding24May 2026Oct 3, 2015 · $30 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage7Jul 2008Jul 5, 2008 · 1 death
Flooding7May 2025Nov 7, 2024 · 2 deaths
Hurricanes & tropical storms3Sep 2024Sep 27, 2024 · $3.5 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms3Feb 2026—

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 Southeastern Orangeburg forecast zone and Orangeburg County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Bowman?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 48 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over BowmanView
KCAE
Columbia, SC
48 mi north-northwest3,400 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KCLX
Charleston, SC
52 mi south-southwest3,800 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KLTX
Wilmington, NC
137 mi east-northeast15,700 ftLimited — 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 Bowman

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 112 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bowman, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and September. The strongest was an EF3 on April 13, 2020, which passed about 23 miles northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 30, 2025, which passed about 21 miles northeast of town.

Hail: 136 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 20, 2008.

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 Bowman'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.

Bowman radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Bowman, SC?

KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 48 miles north-northwest. KCLX (Charleston, SC) is 52 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Bowman?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Bowman the lowest scan from KCAE is about 3,400 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.

Is TALON's radar for Bowman 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 Bowman, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

Radar for nearby towns

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