Unity, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Unity, Lancaster County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Unity?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 153 days in the Southern Lancaster forecast zone and Lancaster County — the most common reported hazard around Unity, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (21 days) and lightning casualties & damage (6 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 153 | Jun 2026 | May 22, 2020 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 21 | May 2026 | Sep 19, 2014 · $85,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Aug 2018 | Apr 8, 2005 · $125,000 damage |
| Flooding | 4 | May 2020 | Jan 12, 2015 · 1 death · $8,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 3 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 2 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $800,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 1 | Jan 2022 | — |
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 Southern Lancaster forecast zone and Lancaster County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Unity get?
A normal year brings about 2.6 inches of snow to Unity, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Catawba weather station 13.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (1.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 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 Unity?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 64 miles south-southwest. 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 Unity | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 64 mi south-southwest | 5,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 87 mi west | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 138 mi east-northeast | 15,900 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 Unity
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 55 tornadoes within 25 miles of Unity, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 8, 1957, which passed about 13 miles south-southeast of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on March 5, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 239 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 22 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on April 24, 1955.
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 Unity'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.
Unity radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Unity, SC?
KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 64 miles south-southwest. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 87 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Unity?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Unity the lowest scan from KCAE is about 5,000 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Unity 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 Unity, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Lancaster, SC radar 8 mi
- Van Wyck, SC radar 9 mi
- Pageland, SC radar 18 mi
- Kershaw, SC radar 19 mi
- Fort Mill, SC radar 20 mi
- Great Falls, SC radar 20 mi
- Rock Hill, SC radar 21 mi
- Tega Cay, SC radar 24 mi
- Chester, SC radar 30 mi
- York, SC radar 34 mi