Columbia, SC Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Columbia, Richland County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for ColumbiaWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Columbia?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 330 days in the Richland forecast zone and Richland County — the most common reported hazard around Columbia, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (114 days) and lightning casualties & damage (21 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds330Jun 2026Jun 20, 2019 · 1 death
Flash flooding114May 2026Oct 4, 2015 · 2 deaths · $10 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage21Jul 2025Jun 12, 2006 · $1.5 million damage
Flooding15May 2025Sep 26, 2015 · $62,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms10Jan 2026—
Ice storms & sleet6Jan 2026—
Hurricanes & tropical storms6Sep 2024Sep 27, 2024 · 1 death · $20 million damage
High winds5Jan 2022Jan 3, 2022 · 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 Richland forecast zone and Richland County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Columbia?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 14 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over ColumbiaView
KCAE
Columbia, SC		14 mi west-southwest700 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KGSP
Greer, SC		95 mi northwest8,900 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KCLX
Charleston, SC		96 mi south9,000 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation

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 Columbia

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 108 tornadoes within 25 miles of Columbia, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and April. The strongest was an F3 on August 16, 1994, which passed about 20 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 9, 2025, which passed about 25 miles west-northwest of town.

Hail: 280 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 15 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on September 25, 1988.

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 Columbia'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.

Columbia radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Columbia, SC?

KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 14 miles west-southwest. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 95 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Columbia?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Columbia the lowest scan from KCAE is about 700 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Columbia 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 Columbia, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

Radar for nearby towns

All South Carolina towns →