James Island, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for James Island, Charleston County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits James Island?
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 James Island, 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 James Island?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCLX (Charleston, SC), about 64 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 James Island | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCLX Charleston, SC | 64 mi west | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 108 mi northwest | 10,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 123 mi northeast | 13,200 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 James Island
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 71 tornadoes within 25 miles of James Island, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and May. The strongest was an F3 on September 11, 1960, which passed about 4 miles north of town. The most recent was an EF0 on September 27, 2024, which touched down about 10 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 266 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 10, 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 James 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.
James Island radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to James Island, SC?
KCLX (Charleston, SC), about 64 miles west. KCAE (Columbia, SC) is 108 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near James Island?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over James Island the lowest scan from KCLX is about 5,100 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for James 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 James Island, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Folly Beach, SC radar 5 mi
- Mount Pleasant, SC radar 7 mi
- Sullivan's Island, SC radar 7 mi
- Charleston, SC radar 7 mi
- Kiawah Island, SC radar 11 mi
- Isle of Palms, SC radar 12 mi
- Hanahan, SC radar 14 mi
- North Charleston, SC radar 15 mi
- Hollywood, SC radar 15 mi
- Ravenel, SC radar 17 mi