Plum Branch, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Plum Branch, McCormick County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Plum Branch?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 100 days in the McCormick forecast zone and McCormick County — the most common reported hazard around Plum Branch, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (11 days) and flash flooding (6 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 100 | May 2026 | May 6, 2003 · $80,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 11 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Aug 2025 | Dec 30, 2015 · $10,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2005 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 3 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $22 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | May 2026 | Feb 28, 2009 · $200,000 damage |
| High winds | 1 | Sep 2017 | — |
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 McCormick forecast zone and McCormick County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Plum Branch?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 66 miles east. 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 Plum Branch | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 66 mi east | 5,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 72 mi north | 5,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KJGX Robins AFB, GA | 103 mi southwest | 10,000 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 Plum Branch
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 59 tornadoes within 25 miles of Plum Branch, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and May. The strongest was an F4 on March 31, 1973, which passed about 23 miles northwest of town and caused 7 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 9, 2025, which touched down about 20 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 144 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 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 Plum Branch'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.
Plum Branch radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Plum Branch, SC?
KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 66 miles east. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 72 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Plum Branch?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Plum Branch the lowest scan from KCAE is about 5,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Plum Branch 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 Plum Branch, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- McCormick, SC radar 5 mi
- Edgefield, SC radar 20 mi
- Abbeville, SC radar 24 mi
- Greenwood, SC radar 25 mi
- Calhoun Falls, SC radar 25 mi
- Ninety Six, SC radar 26 mi
- Johnston, SC radar 26 mi
- North Augusta, SC radar 29 mi
- Saluda, SC radar 30 mi
- Burnettown, SC radar 32 mi