Zion, SC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Zion, Marion County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Zion?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 96 days in the Marion forecast zone and Marion County — the most common reported hazard around Zion, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (13 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (11 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 96 | Apr 2026 | Jul 1, 2012 · $150,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 13 | Aug 2024 | Oct 8, 2016 · $1.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 11 | Feb 2026 | Feb 11, 2014 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 7 | Nov 2015 | May 29, 2010 · $1,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Nov 2011 | Jul 17, 2004 · $400,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 5 | Sep 2022 | Sep 15, 2018 · $3.0 million damage |
| High winds | 4 | Mar 2004 | Sep 5, 1996 · $700,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Jun 2015 | — |
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 Marion forecast zone and Marion County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Zion?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLTX (Wilmington, NC), about 54 miles east-southeast. 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 Zion | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLTX Wilmington, NC | 54 mi east-southeast | 3,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCAE Columbia, SC | 106 mi west | 10,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 108 mi north-northeast | 10,800 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 Zion
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 71 tornadoes within 25 miles of Zion, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and March. The strongest was an F4 on November 7, 1995, which touched down about 8 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on September 27, 2024, which passed about 25 miles south of town.
Hail: 159 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 8 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 7, 2022.
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 Zion'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.
Zion radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Zion, SC?
KLTX (Wilmington, NC), about 54 miles east-southeast. KCAE (Columbia, SC) is 106 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Zion?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Zion the lowest scan from KLTX is about 3,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Zion 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 Zion, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Mullins, SC radar 5 mi
- Marion, SC radar 7 mi
- Latta, SC radar 9 mi
- Dillon, SC radar 12 mi
- Aynor, SC radar 19 mi
- Pamplico, SC radar 23 mi
- Loris, SC radar 28 mi
- Florence, SC radar 28 mi
- McColl, SC radar 31 mi
- Johnsonville, SC radar 32 mi