Rains, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rains, Marion County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rains?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 96 days in the Marion forecast zone and Marion County — the most common reported hazard around Rains, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (13 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (11 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 96 | Apr 2026 | Jul 1, 2012 · $150,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 13 | Aug 2024 | Oct 8, 2016 · $1.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 11 | Feb 2026 | Feb 11, 2014 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 7 | Nov 2015 | May 29, 2010 · $1,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Nov 2011 | Jul 17, 2004 · $400,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 5 | Sep 2022 | Sep 15, 2018 · $3.0 million damage |
| High winds | 4 | Mar 2004 | Sep 5, 1996 · $700,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Jun 2015 | — |
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 Marion forecast zone and Marion County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Rains?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLTX (Wilmington, NC), about 52 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 Rains | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 52 mi east | 3,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 103 mi west | 10,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 118 mi north-northeast | 12,500 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 Rains
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 62 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rains, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and March. The strongest was an F4 on November 7, 1995, which touched down about 4 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on September 27, 2024, which passed about 13 miles south of town.
Hail: 189 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 10, 2011.
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 Rains'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.
Rains radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rains, SC?
KLTX (Wilmington, NC), about 52 miles east. KCAE (Columbia, SC) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rains?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rains the lowest scan from KLTX is about 3,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rains 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 Rains, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Marion, SC radar 7 mi
- Mullins, SC radar 9 mi
- Aynor, SC radar 9 mi
- Pamplico, SC radar 16 mi
- Latta, SC radar 18 mi
- Johnsonville, SC radar 21 mi
- Dillon, SC radar 23 mi
- Conway, SC radar 24 mi
- Loris, SC radar 25 mi
- Florence, SC radar 28 mi