Hartsville, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hartsville, Darlington County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hartsville?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 138 days in the Darlington forecast zone and Darlington County — the most common reported hazard around Hartsville, mostly in July and June. Next come flooding (12 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (11 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 138 | Jun 2025 | Aug 2, 2008 · $510,000 damage |
| Flooding | 12 | May 2017 | Oct 3, 2015 · $10,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 11 | Feb 2026 | Feb 11, 2014 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Feb 2015 | Jan 26, 2004 · $2.5 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Sep 2020 | Oct 8, 2016 · $800,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 5 | Sep 2022 | Sep 14, 2018 · $40,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Jun 2015 | May 8, 2014 · 1 death |
| High winds | 4 | Jan 2024 | — |
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 Darlington forecast zone and Darlington County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Hartsville?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 66 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 Hartsville | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 66 mi west-southwest | 5,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 98 mi east-southeast | 9,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 127 mi west-northwest | 13,900 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 Hartsville
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 78 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hartsville, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 8, 1957, which passed about 23 miles north of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 16, 2022, which passed about 9 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 173 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 25, 2000.
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 Hartsville'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.
Hartsville radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hartsville, SC?
KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 66 miles west-southwest. KLTX (Wilmington, NC) is 98 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hartsville?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hartsville the lowest scan from KCAE is about 5,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Hartsville 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 Hartsville, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Darlington, SC radar 13 mi
- Bishopville, SC radar 14 mi
- Timmonsville, SC radar 18 mi
- Florence, SC radar 21 mi
- Cheraw, SC radar 25 mi
- Chesterfield, SC radar 25 mi
- Bennettsville, SC radar 29 mi
- Camden, SC radar 31 mi
- Kershaw, SC radar 31 mi
- Pageland, SC radar 33 mi