Pelion, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Pelion, Lexington County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Pelion?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 333 days in the Lexington forecast zone and Lexington County — the most common reported hazard around Pelion, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (35 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 333 | Jun 2026 | Aug 30, 1998 · 1 death · $12,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 35 | Sep 2025 | Oct 10, 2015 · $6.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 12 | Jan 2026 | Nov 1, 2014 · $12,000 damage |
| Flooding | 11 | May 2026 | Oct 8, 2016 · $5,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 11 | Jun 2025 | Jun 27, 2015 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 5 | Jan 2022 | Oct 8, 2016 · $750,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 5 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $20 million 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 Lexington forecast zone and Lexington County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Pelion get?
A normal year brings about 1.2 inches of snow to Pelion, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Columbia weather station 13.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 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 Pelion?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 14 miles 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 Pelion | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 14 mi northeast | 700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KCLX Charleston, SC | 79 mi south | 6,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 94 mi northwest | 8,700 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 Pelion
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 113 tornadoes within 25 miles of Pelion, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and April. The strongest was an EF3 on April 13, 2020, which passed about 21 miles southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 9, 2025, which passed about 25 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 264 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 2, 1984.
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 Pelion'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.
Pelion radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Pelion, SC?
KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 14 miles northeast. KCLX (Charleston, SC) is 79 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Pelion?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Pelion the lowest scan from KCAE is about 700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Pelion 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 Pelion, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Gaston, SC radar 9 mi
- South Congaree, SC radar 11 mi
- Pine Ridge, SC radar 13 mi
- Lexington, SC radar 15 mi
- Springdale, SC radar 15 mi
- West Columbia, SC radar 17 mi
- Cayce, SC radar 17 mi
- Batesburg-Leesville, SC radar 18 mi
- Irmo, SC radar 22 mi
- Forest Acres, SC radar 24 mi