Cherokee Falls, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cherokee Falls, Cherokee County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cherokee Falls?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 156 days in the Cherokee forecast zone and Cherokee County — the most common reported hazard around Cherokee Falls, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (27 days) and lightning casualties & damage (13 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 156 | Mar 2026 | May 26, 2022 · 1 death · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 27 | Jan 2026 | Feb 26, 2004 · $20,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 13 | Apr 2023 | Jun 24, 2001 · $1.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Dec 2005 | Dec 4, 2002 · $9.0 million damage |
| High winds | 10 | Jan 2009 | Apr 16, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Sep 2024 | Jan 9, 2024 · $50,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Feb 2026 | Mar 16, 2017 · $50 million damage |
| Flooding | 6 | Feb 2020 | Oct 7, 2005 · $375,000 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 Cherokee forecast zone and Cherokee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Cherokee Falls get?
A normal year brings about 1.9 inches of snow to Cherokee Falls, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Gaffney 6 E weather station 2.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (0.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 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 Cherokee Falls?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGSP (Greer, SC), about 40 miles west-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 Cherokee Falls | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGSP Greer, SC | 40 mi west-southwest | 2,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 81 mi south-southeast | 7,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 129 mi northwest | 14,300 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 Cherokee Falls
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 98 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cherokee Falls, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1989, which passed about 20 miles west-northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on December 29, 2024, which passed about 18 miles south of town.
Hail: 309 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 31 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on April 9, 2011.
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 Cherokee Falls'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.
Cherokee Falls radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cherokee Falls, SC?
KGSP (Greer, SC), about 40 miles west-southwest. KCAE (Columbia, SC) is 81 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cherokee Falls?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cherokee Falls the lowest scan from KGSP is about 2,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Cherokee Falls 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 Cherokee Falls, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Blacksburg, SC radar 4 mi
- Gaffney, SC radar 7 mi
- Cowpens, SC radar 15 mi
- Pacolet, SC radar 17 mi
- York, SC radar 18 mi
- Clover, SC radar 19 mi
- Spartanburg, SC radar 23 mi
- Union, SC radar 24 mi
- Tega Cay, SC radar 30 mi
- Inman, SC radar 31 mi