Winnsboro, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Winnsboro, Fairfield County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Winnsboro?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 186 days in the Fairfield forecast zone and Fairfield County — the most common reported hazard around Winnsboro, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (15 days) and ice storms & sleet (9 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 186 | Jun 2026 | Jun 24, 2015 · $120,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 15 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Jan 2022 | Jan 30, 2010 · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Aug 2024 | Oct 4, 2015 · $1.0 million damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 4 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $1.5 million damage |
| High winds | 3 | Jan 2022 | Oct 24, 2008 · $60,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Jun 1996 | Jun 22, 1996 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 1 | Aug 2025 | Aug 5, 2025 · $5,000 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 Fairfield forecast zone and Fairfield County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Winnsboro?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 29 miles south. 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 Winnsboro | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 29 mi south | 1,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 73 mi west-northwest | 6,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCLX Charleston, SC | 118 mi south | 12,500 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 Winnsboro
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 89 tornadoes within 25 miles of Winnsboro, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and May. The strongest was an F4 on March 28, 1984, which passed about 2 miles north of town and caused 5 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 9, 2025, which passed about 19 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 181 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 23, 2014.
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 Winnsboro'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.
Winnsboro radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Winnsboro, SC?
KCAE (Columbia, SC), about 29 miles south. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 73 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Winnsboro?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Winnsboro the lowest scan from KCAE is about 1,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Winnsboro 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 Winnsboro, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Blythewood, SC radar 12 mi
- Great Falls, SC radar 18 mi
- Irmo, SC radar 19 mi
- Chapin, SC radar 20 mi
- Elgin, SC radar 22 mi
- Forest Acres, SC radar 24 mi
- Chester, SC radar 24 mi
- Columbia, SC radar 25 mi
- West Columbia, SC radar 26 mi
- Lexington, SC radar 27 mi