Saluda, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Saluda, Saluda County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Saluda?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 132 days in the Saluda forecast zone and Saluda County — the most common reported hazard around Saluda, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (12 days) and flash flooding (5 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 132 | Jun 2026 | Jul 31, 2011 · $210,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 12 | Jan 2026 | Nov 1, 2014 · $6,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 5 | May 2017 | Sep 28, 2016 · $35,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2005 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 3 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · 3 deaths · $37 million damage |
| High winds | 1 | Oct 2008 | Oct 24, 2008 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 1 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Flooding | 1 | May 2026 | — |
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 Saluda forecast zone and Saluda County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Saluda?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 38 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 Saluda | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 38 mi east | 2,400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 66 mi north-northwest | 5,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCLX Charleston, SC | 102 mi south-southeast | 9,900 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 Saluda
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 89 tornadoes within 25 miles of Saluda, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on December 13, 1973, which touched down about 19 miles northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 9, 2025, which passed about 23 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 173 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 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 Saluda'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.
Saluda radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Saluda, SC?
KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 38 miles east. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 66 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Saluda?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Saluda the lowest scan from KCAE is about 2,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Saluda 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 Saluda, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Johnston, SC radar 12 mi
- Batesburg-Leesville, SC radar 15 mi
- Edgefield, SC radar 17 mi
- Ninety Six, SC radar 19 mi
- Prosperity, SC radar 20 mi
- Newberry, SC radar 22 mi
- Greenwood, SC radar 26 mi
- Chapin, SC radar 27 mi
- McCormick, SC radar 30 mi
- Lexington, SC radar 32 mi