Johnston, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Johnston, Edgefield County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Johnston?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 141 days in the Edgefield forecast zone and Edgefield County — the most common reported hazard around Johnston, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (9 days) and flash flooding (4 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 141 | Jun 2026 | Apr 5, 2011 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 9 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 4 | Aug 2025 | Jul 7, 2020 · $11,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Jan 2005 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 2 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $92 million damage |
| Flooding | 2 | Jun 2013 | Jun 2, 2013 · $12,000 damage |
| High winds | 1 | Oct 2008 | Oct 24, 2008 · $20,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Jul 2016 | — |
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 Edgefield forecast zone and Edgefield County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Johnston get?
A normal year brings about 1.0 inches of snow to Johnston, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Johnston 4 Sw weather station 4.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 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 Johnston?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 40 miles east-northeast. 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 Johnston | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 40 mi east-northeast | 2,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 76 mi north-northwest | 6,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCLX Charleston, SC | 93 mi south-southeast | 8,600 ft | Fair — 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 Johnston
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 73 tornadoes within 25 miles of Johnston, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and March. The strongest was an F3 on November 22, 1992, which passed about 12 miles north-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on May 12, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles south of town.
Hail: 187 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 29, 2017.
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 Johnston'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.
Johnston radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Johnston, SC?
KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 40 miles east-northeast. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 76 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Johnston?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Johnston the lowest scan from KCAE is about 2,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Johnston 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 Johnston, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Edgefield, SC radar 8 mi
- Saluda, SC radar 12 mi
- Batesburg-Leesville, SC radar 17 mi
- Aiken, SC radar 21 mi
- Burnettown, SC radar 22 mi
- North Augusta, SC radar 23 mi
- Ninety Six, SC radar 26 mi
- McCormick, SC radar 28 mi
- New Ellenton, SC radar 29 mi
- Prosperity, SC radar 31 mi