Buffalo, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Buffalo, Union County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Buffalo?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 150 days in the Union forecast zone and Union County — the most common reported hazard around Buffalo, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (18 days) and lightning casualties & damage (8 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 150 | Jun 2026 | May 22, 2020 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 18 | Jan 2026 | Feb 26, 2004 · $20,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | Sep 2013 | Sep 1, 2013 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Feb 2015 | Dec 4, 2002 · $7.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 7 | Jul 2013 | Sep 7, 2004 · $250,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Feb 2026 | Mar 16, 2017 · $50 million damage |
| Flooding | 6 | Oct 2005 | Apr 18, 2003 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 6 | Apr 2007 | Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 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 Union forecast zone and Union County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Buffalo get?
A normal year brings about 1.9 inches of snow to Buffalo, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Union 8 S weather station 8.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 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 Buffalo?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGSP (Greer, SC), about 32 miles west-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 Buffalo | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGSP Greer, SC | 32 mi west-northwest | 2,000 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 63 mi south-southeast | 4,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 139 mi northwest | 16,100 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 Buffalo
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 74 tornadoes within 25 miles of Buffalo, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F3 on May 10, 1952, which passed about 11 miles west-northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on December 29, 2024, which touched down about 7 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 218 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 18 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on May 2, 1957.
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 Buffalo'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.
Buffalo radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Buffalo, SC?
KGSP (Greer, SC), about 32 miles west-northwest. KCAE (Columbia, SC) is 63 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Buffalo?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Buffalo the lowest scan from KGSP is about 2,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Buffalo 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 Buffalo, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Union, SC radar 3 mi
- Pacolet, SC radar 13 mi
- Whitmire, SC radar 16 mi
- Clinton, SC radar 20 mi
- Woodruff, SC radar 20 mi
- Spartanburg, SC radar 21 mi
- Cowpens, SC radar 21 mi
- Gaffney, SC radar 24 mi
- Laurens, SC radar 25 mi
- Reidville, SC radar 26 mi