South Sumter, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for South Sumter, Sumter County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits South Sumter?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 203 days in the Sumter forecast zone and Sumter County — the most common reported hazard around South Sumter, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (16 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 203 | Jun 2026 | Sep 15, 1999 · $738,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Jun 2025 | Sep 25, 2011 · $22,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 12 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 9 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $950,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Aug 2023 | Aug 1, 2012 · $1.3 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 4 | Jan 2022 | Oct 8, 2016 · $1.5 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Jun 2025 | Jun 21, 2025 · 1 death |
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 Sumter forecast zone and Sumter County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover South Sumter?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 45 miles west. 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 South Sumter | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 45 mi west | 3,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCLX Charleston, SC | 94 mi south-southwest | 8,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 110 mi east | 11,100 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 South Sumter
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 85 tornadoes within 25 miles of South Sumter, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and April. The strongest was an EF3 on April 15, 2007, which crossed near town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on May 30, 2025, which passed about 21 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 148 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on April 16, 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 South Sumter'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.
South Sumter radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to South Sumter, SC?
KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 45 miles west. KCLX (Charleston, SC) is 94 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in South Sumter?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over South Sumter the lowest scan from KCAE is about 3,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for South Sumter 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 South Sumter, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Sumter, SC radar 5 mi
- Manning, SC radar 15 mi
- Bishopville, SC radar 24 mi
- Timmonsville, SC radar 28 mi
- St. Matthews, SC radar 30 mi
- Camden, SC radar 30 mi
- Elgin, SC radar 33 mi
- Kingstree, SC radar 33 mi
- Lake City, SC radar 34 mi
- Columbia, SC radar 34 mi