Catawba, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Catawba, York County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Catawba?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 201 days in the York forecast zone and York County — the most common reported hazard around Catawba, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (25 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (24 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 201 | Jun 2026 | Feb 6, 2020 · 1 death · $25,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 25 | Aug 2025 | Jul 23, 1997 · $207,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 24 | Jan 2026 | Feb 26, 2004 · $1.7 million damage |
| Flooding | 21 | Sep 2024 | Mar 20, 2003 · $100,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 19 | Feb 2012 | Aug 29, 2006 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Jan 2004 | Dec 4, 2002 · $9.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Feb 2026 | Mar 16, 2017 · $50 million damage |
| High winds | 5 | Mar 2004 | Feb 4, 2002 · 1 death |
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 York forecast zone and York County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Catawba get?
A normal year brings about 2.6 inches of snow to Catawba, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Catawba weather station 1.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (1.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 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 Catawba?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 63 miles south-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 Catawba | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 63 mi south-southwest | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 75 mi west | 6,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 147 mi east-northeast | 17,700 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 Catawba
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 61 tornadoes within 25 miles of Catawba, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 8, 1957, which passed about 23 miles southeast of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 23, 2022, which touched down about 19 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 277 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on April 24, 1955.
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 Catawba'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.
Catawba radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Catawba, SC?
KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 63 miles south-southwest. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 75 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Catawba?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Catawba the lowest scan from KCAE is about 4,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Catawba 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 Catawba, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Van Wyck, SC radar 4 mi
- Rock Hill, SC radar 10 mi
- Lancaster, SC radar 10 mi
- Fort Mill, SC radar 12 mi
- Tega Cay, SC radar 15 mi
- Great Falls, SC radar 18 mi
- Chester, SC radar 20 mi
- York, SC radar 22 mi
- Clover, SC radar 26 mi
- Kershaw, SC radar 27 mi