Laurel Bay, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Laurel Bay, Beaufort County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Laurel Bay?
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 Laurel Bay, mostly in June and July. Next come lightning casualties & damage (46 days) and flash flooding (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 214 | Jun 2026 | Sep 20, 2021 · $100,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 46 | Jul 2025 | Jul 30, 2007 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 27 | Aug 2025 | Jul 21, 2014 · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 2 | Aug 2024 | Jul 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 Laurel Bay?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCLX (Charleston, SC), about 20 miles 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Laurel Bay | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCLX Charleston, SC | 20 mi northwest | 1,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 105 mi north | 10,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KJAX Jacksonville, FL | 147 mi south-southwest | 17,500 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 Laurel Bay
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 47 tornadoes within 25 miles of Laurel Bay, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and September. The strongest was an F2 on September 3, 1998, which passed about 20 miles east of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on September 26, 2024, which passed about 20 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 123 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 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 Laurel Bay'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.
Laurel Bay radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Laurel Bay, SC?
KCLX (Charleston, SC), about 20 miles northwest. KCAE (Columbia, SC) is 105 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Laurel Bay?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Laurel Bay the lowest scan from KCLX is about 1,100 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Laurel Bay 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 Laurel Bay, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Beaufort, SC radar 4 mi
- Ridgeland, SC radar 8 mi
- Port Royal, SC radar 9 mi
- Yemassee, SC radar 16 mi
- Hardeeville, SC radar 19 mi
- Hilton Head Island, SC radar 19 mi
- Bluffton, SC radar 19 mi
- Edisto Beach, SC radar 28 mi
- Walterboro, SC radar 31 mi
- Varnville, SC radar 32 mi