Chapin, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Chapin, Lexington County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Chapin?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 333 days in the Lexington forecast zone and Lexington County — the most common reported hazard around Chapin, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (35 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 333 | Jun 2026 | Aug 30, 1998 · 1 death · $12,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 35 | Sep 2025 | Oct 10, 2015 · $6.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 12 | Jan 2026 | Nov 1, 2014 · $12,000 damage |
| Flooding | 11 | May 2026 | Oct 8, 2016 · $5,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 11 | Jun 2025 | Jun 27, 2015 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 5 | Jan 2022 | Oct 8, 2016 · $750,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 5 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $20 million 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 Lexington forecast zone and Lexington County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Chapin get?
A normal year brings about 1.4 inches of snow to Chapin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Little Mtn weather station 4.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 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 Chapin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 20 miles southeast. 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 Chapin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 20 mi southeast | 1,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 71 mi northwest | 5,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCLX Charleston, SC | 106 mi south | 10,500 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 Chapin
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 114 tornadoes within 25 miles of Chapin, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and August. The strongest was an F4 on March 28, 1984, which passed about 14 miles north of town and caused 5 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 9, 2025, which crossed near town.
Hail: 261 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 2, 1984.
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 Chapin'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.
Chapin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Chapin, SC?
KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 20 miles southeast. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 71 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Chapin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Chapin the lowest scan from KCAE is about 1,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Chapin 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 Chapin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Irmo, SC radar 9 mi
- Prosperity, SC radar 11 mi
- Lexington, SC radar 14 mi
- Newberry, SC radar 17 mi
- West Columbia, SC radar 18 mi
- Springdale, SC radar 19 mi
- Blythewood, SC radar 20 mi
- Winnsboro, SC radar 20 mi
- Batesburg-Leesville, SC radar 20 mi
- South Congaree, SC radar 21 mi