West Union, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for West Union, Oconee County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits West Union?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 211 days in the Greater Oconee forecast zone and Oconee County — the most common reported hazard around West Union, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (21 days) and lightning casualties & damage (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 211 | Jun 2026 | Feb 21, 1997 · $130,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 21 | Jan 2024 | Feb 6, 2020 · $400,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 12 | Jul 2017 | Jul 27, 2008 · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 5 | Sep 2022 | Feb 6, 2020 · $40,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 2 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 2 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 1 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $3,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 1 | Jan 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 Greater Oconee forecast zone and Oconee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does West Union get?
A normal year brings about 2.2 inches of snow to West Union, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Walhalla weather station 1.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 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 Union?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGSP (Greer, SC), about 48 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 West Union | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGSP Greer, SC | 48 mi east | 3,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 100 mi north-northwest | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 123 mi east-southeast | 13,300 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 West Union
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 92 tornadoes within 25 miles of West Union, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F3 on March 27, 1994, which passed about 24 miles west of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 3, 2025, which touched down about 25 miles east of town.
Hail: 298 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 April 28, 2002.
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 Union'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 Union radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to West Union, SC?
KGSP (Greer, SC), about 48 miles east. KMRX (Knoxville, TN) is 100 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near West Union?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over West Union the lowest scan from KGSP is about 3,300 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for West Union 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 Union, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Walhalla, SC radar 1 mi
- Westminster, SC radar 7 mi
- Seneca, SC radar 7 mi
- Clemson, SC radar 14 mi
- Central, SC radar 15 mi
- Pendleton, SC radar 17 mi
- Liberty, SC radar 20 mi
- Pickens, SC radar 21 mi
- Easley, SC radar 27 mi
- Anderson, SC radar 28 mi