Harbor Island, SC Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for Harbor IslandWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Harbor Island?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 214 days in the Beaufort forecast zone and Beaufort County — the most common reported hazard around Harbor Island, mostly in June and July. Next come lightning casualties & damage (46 days) and flash flooding (27 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds214Jun 2026Sep 20, 2021 · $100,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage46Jul 2025Jul 30, 2007 · 1 death
Flash flooding27Aug 2025Jul 21, 2014 · $10,000 damage
Flooding2Aug 2024Jul 7, 2020 · $10,000 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 Beaufort forecast zone and Beaufort County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Harbor Island?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCLX (Charleston, SC), about 39 miles west-northwest. 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 Harbor IslandView
KCLX
Charleston, SC		39 mi west-northwest2,600 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KCAE
Columbia, SC		114 mi north-northwest11,700 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KJAX
Jacksonville, FL		152 mi south-southwest18,600 ftLimited — 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 Harbor Island

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 42 tornadoes within 25 miles of Harbor Island, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and September. The strongest was an F2 on September 3, 1998, which crossed near town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on September 27, 2024, which touched down about 23 miles northeast of town.

Hail: 59 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 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 Harbor Island'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.

Harbor Island radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Harbor Island, SC?

KCLX (Charleston, SC), about 39 miles west-northwest. KCAE (Columbia, SC) is 114 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Harbor Island?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Harbor Island the lowest scan from KCLX is about 2,600 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

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

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