Ward, SC Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Ward, Saluda County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for WardWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Ward?

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 Ward, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (12 days) and flash flooding (5 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds132Jun 2026Jul 31, 2011 · $210,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms12Jan 2026Nov 1, 2014 · $6,000 damage
Flash flooding5May 2017Sep 28, 2016 · $35,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet4Jan 2005—
Hurricanes & tropical storms3Sep 2024Sep 27, 2024 · 3 deaths · $37 million damage
High winds1Oct 2008Oct 24, 2008 · $20,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill1Dec 2022—
Flooding1May 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.

How much snow does Ward get?

A normal year brings about 1.0 inches of snow to Ward, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Johnston 4 Sw weather station 8.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.5 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.00.00.20.50.10.20.00.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Ward?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 36 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over WardView
KCAE
Columbia, SC		36 mi east2,300 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KGSP
Greer, SC		76 mi north-northwest6,400 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KCLX
Charleston, SC		92 mi south-southeast8,500 ftFair — 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 Ward

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 80 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ward, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and March. The strongest was an F3 on November 22, 1992, which passed about 12 miles north-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on May 12, 2025, which touched down about 24 miles south-southwest of town.

Hail: 179 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 Ward'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.

Ward radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Ward, SC?

KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 36 miles east. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 76 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Ward?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ward the lowest scan from KCAE is about 2,300 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Ward 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 Ward, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

Radar for nearby towns

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