West Columbia, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for West Columbia, Lexington County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits West Columbia?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 333 days in the Lexington forecast zone and Lexington County — the most common reported hazard around West Columbia, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (35 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 333 | Jun 2026 | Aug 30, 1998 · 1 death · $12,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 35 | Sep 2025 | Oct 10, 2015 · $6.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 12 | Jan 2026 | Nov 1, 2014 · $12,000 damage |
| Flooding | 11 | May 2026 | Oct 8, 2016 · $5,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 11 | Jun 2025 | Jun 27, 2015 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 5 | Jan 2022 | Oct 8, 2016 · $750,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 5 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $20 million damage |
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 Lexington forecast zone and Lexington County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does West Columbia get?
A normal year brings about 1.2 inches of snow to West Columbia, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Columbia weather station 3.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 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 West Columbia?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 3 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 West Columbia | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 3 mi south-southwest | 100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 89 mi northwest | 8,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCLX Charleston, SC | 92 mi south | 8,500 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 West Columbia
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 120 tornadoes within 25 miles of West Columbia, 30 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and August. The strongest was an F3 on November 22, 1992, which passed about 24 miles northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on June 9, 2025, which passed about 17 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 288 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on September 25, 1988.
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 West Columbia'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.
West Columbia radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to West Columbia, SC?
KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 3 miles south-southwest. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 89 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in West Columbia?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over West Columbia the lowest scan from KCAE is about 100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for West Columbia 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 West Columbia, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Springdale, SC radar 2 mi
- Cayce, SC radar 4 mi
- South Congaree, SC radar 6 mi
- Pine Ridge, SC radar 6 mi
- Lexington, SC radar 7 mi
- Forest Acres, SC radar 8 mi
- Irmo, SC radar 10 mi
- Columbia, SC radar 12 mi
- Gaston, SC radar 12 mi
- Blythewood, SC radar 16 mi