Lancaster, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lancaster, Lancaster County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lancaster?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 153 days in the Southern Lancaster forecast zone and Lancaster County — the most common reported hazard around Lancaster, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (21 days) and lightning casualties & damage (6 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 153 | Jun 2026 | May 22, 2020 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 21 | May 2026 | Sep 19, 2014 · $85,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Aug 2018 | Apr 8, 2005 · $125,000 damage |
| Flooding | 4 | May 2020 | Jan 12, 2015 · 1 death · $8,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 3 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 2 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $800,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 1 | Jan 2022 | — |
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 Southern Lancaster forecast zone and Lancaster County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lancaster get?
A normal year brings about 2.6 inches of snow to Lancaster, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Catawba weather station 11.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (1.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 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 Lancaster?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 57 miles south-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 Lancaster | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 57 mi south-southwest | 4,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 82 mi west | 7,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 144 mi east-southeast | 16,900 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 Lancaster
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 58 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lancaster, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on March 28, 1984, which passed about 22 miles south-southwest of town and caused 5 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 23, 2022, which touched down about 15 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 230 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on April 24, 1955.
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 Lancaster'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.
Lancaster radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lancaster, SC?
KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 57 miles south-southwest. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 82 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Lancaster?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Lancaster the lowest scan from KCAE is about 4,200 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Lancaster 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 Lancaster, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Van Wyck, SC radar 9 mi
- Great Falls, SC radar 13 mi
- Kershaw, SC radar 17 mi
- Rock Hill, SC radar 20 mi
- Fort Mill, SC radar 21 mi
- Pageland, SC radar 23 mi
- Chester, SC radar 24 mi
- Tega Cay, SC radar 25 mi
- Winnsboro, SC radar 30 mi
- York, SC radar 32 mi