Charleston, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Charleston, Charleston County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Charleston?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 222 days in the Charleston forecast zone and Charleston County — the most common reported hazard around Charleston, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (100 days) and lightning casualties & damage (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 222 | Jun 2026 | Aug 11, 2000 · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 100 | Jun 2026 | Dec 17, 2023 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 39 | Aug 2025 | Jun 18, 2005 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 6 | Aug 2025 | Jul 19, 2013 · $20,000 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 Charleston forecast zone and Charleston County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Charleston?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCLX (Charleston, SC), about 63 miles west. 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 Charleston | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCLX Charleston, SC | 63 mi west | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 102 mi northwest | 9,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 120 mi northeast | 12,700 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 Charleston
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 79 tornadoes within 25 miles of Charleston, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and April. The strongest was an F3 on September 11, 1960, which passed about 2 miles south of town. The most recent was an EF0 on September 27, 2024, which touched down about 7 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 307 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on August 2, 2012.
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 Charleston'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.
Charleston radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Charleston, SC?
KCLX (Charleston, SC), about 63 miles west. KCAE (Columbia, SC) is 102 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Charleston?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Charleston the lowest scan from KCLX is about 4,900 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Charleston 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 Charleston, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Mount Pleasant, SC radar 6 mi
- James Island, SC radar 7 mi
- Hanahan, SC radar 7 mi
- North Charleston, SC radar 8 mi
- Sullivan's Island, SC radar 9 mi
- Folly Beach, SC radar 11 mi
- Goose Creek, SC radar 12 mi
- Isle of Palms, SC radar 13 mi
- Hollywood, SC radar 14 mi
- Ravenel, SC radar 15 mi