Raleigh Weather Radar

Raleigh Live Weather

Raleigh Live Weather Radar

Click to toggle between the Raleigh cloud cover radar map and the Raleigh precipitation radar map.

Raleigh Hourly Weather Forecast

Raleigh 7-Day Weather Forecast

Raleigh Weather Overview

Raleigh sits in North Carolina's piedmont, roughly 150 miles inland from the coast. The humid-subtropical climate brings hot, stormy summers and mild but unpredictable winters, with annual precipitation averaging 46.07 inches. The Raleigh weather radar covers the broader Triangle area including Durham and Chapel Hill, pulling data tracked by NWS Raleigh (WFO RAH). Residents rely on the Raleigh weather radar year-round to stay ahead of fast-changing conditions.

Severe weather hits hard here. Hurricane Fran struck in September 1996 as a Category 3 storm, toppling thousands of trees and causing billions in damage. Hurricane Floyd dumped over 21 inches of rain in September 1999, triggering catastrophic flooding. Tornadoes pose a real threat — the 1988 F4 tornado carved an 84-mile path through Wake County, and an EF3 tornado tracked through downtown Raleigh in April 2011, causing $115 million in damage. Checking the Raleigh weather radar during storm season is not optional. When tropical remnants push inland, the Raleigh weather radar shows where heavy rain bands are heading.

Ice storms round out the risk picture. Raleigh averages 5.2 inches of snow per year, but the January 2000 storm dropped 20.3 inches — the largest single-storm total on record. Freezing rain can shut down roads for days. A reliable Raleigh weather radar helps track winter systems as they develop, whether a summer squall line or an ice event moving across central North Carolina. Keep the Raleigh weather radar bookmarked for real-time updates.

Raleigh Weather Risks & Safety

Key weather hazards to monitor on the Raleigh weather radar

Hurricane & Tropical Storm Risk

Raleigh sits in the path of Atlantic and Gulf tropical systems. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, peaking in August and September when warm sea surface temperatures fuel rapid intensification. On the radar, you can track the eye wall, rain bands, and embedded tornadoes as a storm approaches. If you live in Raleigh, keep your evacuation plan current and check the radar frequently once a tropical advisory is issued.

Severe Thunderstorm Risk

Severe thunderstorms roll through Raleigh regularly, especially spring through early fall. Expect damaging winds above 58 mph, large hail, and dangerous lightning. The radar shows you each storm cell's position, movement, and intensity — so you can tell if one is headed your way. When a thunderstorm warning drops for Raleigh, get indoors and away from windows until it passes.

Tornado Risk

Tornadoes hit Raleigh hardest in spring and early summer, when warm Gulf air slams into cooler northern fronts. Supercell thunderstorms can spin up EF2+ tornadoes with very little lead time. On radar, rotation signatures inside storm cells give you a few critical minutes to reach shelter. Raleigh averages several tornado warnings per year — know where your safe room or interior closet is before you need it.

Ice Storm Risk

Ice storms are rare in Raleigh but devastating when they hit. A quarter-inch of freezing rain coats everything — roads turn into skating rinks, power lines snap, trees come down. The radar shows whether you're getting rain, freezing rain, sleet, or snow — that distinction is critical. When Raleigh gets an ice storm warning, stay off the roads and prepare for power outages that could last several days.

Flooding & Flash Flood Risk

Flash flooding is Raleigh's most persistent weather hazard. Slow-moving thunderstorms or tropical moisture can dump enough rain to overwhelm drainage systems within hours — especially in paved urban areas where water has nowhere to go. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.

How to Use Raleigh Weather Radar

Follow these steps to get the most from the Raleigh weather radar data.

Open the Raleigh Weather Radar Page

Navigate to the Raleigh weather radar page on localweatherradar.org. The interactive map loads centered on the Triangle area, covering Wake, Durham, and Orange counties. No app download or account required.

Check Current Precipitation and Storm Cells

Use the radar animation to see where rain, thunderstorms, or winter precipitation is falling right now across central North Carolina. Color intensity shows rainfall rate — greens are light rain, reds and purples indicate severe storms.

Review the Hourly and 7-Day Forecast

Scroll below the radar map for Raleigh's hourly temperature, wind, and precipitation forecast. The 7-day outlook helps plan around hurricane season storms, summer thunderstorms, or winter ice events common in the piedmont.

Set a Bookmark for Quick Access

Bookmark this page for fast Raleigh weather radar checks during severe weather. When NWS Raleigh issues tornado warnings or winter storm advisories, quick radar access beats waiting for TV coverage to load.

Who Benefits from Raleigh Weather Radar

How different people use the Raleigh radar data

Commuters & Drivers

Check rain and ice conditions along I-40 and the I-440 Beltline before morning and evening commutes through Raleigh.

Outdoor Enthusiasts

Plan runs on the Neuse River Trail or hikes in Umstead State Park with real-time radar and hourly forecasts.

Event Planners & Families

Monitor approaching storms before heading to PNC Arena or Carter-Finley Stadium for games and concerts.

Outdoor Workers

Construction and utility crews across Wake County track thunderstorm cells and ice events for safe scheduling.

Raleigh Weather FAQ

Common questions about Raleigh weather patterns and radar

What weather threats does Raleigh face most often?

Raleigh's biggest threats are severe thunderstorms and tropical systems. The city averages about 2 tornadoes per year in the Wake County area. Hurricane remnants regularly bring heavy rain and flooding — Hurricane Floyd dumped over 21 inches of rain in September 1999. Winter ice storms also disrupt the area, though less frequently. NWS Raleigh (WFO RAH) monitors all of these hazards for the Triangle region.

How often does the Raleigh weather radar update?

The radar imagery on this page refreshes approximately every 10 minutes using RainViewer data sourced from NOAA's NEXRAD network. The hourly forecast updates several times per day via Open-Meteo. During active severe weather, radar sweeps capture storm movement in near real-time, so you can track cells approaching Raleigh with minimal delay.

How is this radar different from WRAL or Weather Channel weather radar?

WRAL and the Weather Channel provide radar alongside their broadcast forecasts and meteorologist commentary. This page focuses on a clean, ad-free interface with interactive RainViewer radar maps, Open-Meteo hourly forecasts, and a 7-day outlook for Raleigh. Radar imagery updates approximately every 10 minutes. Both sources are useful — local meteorologists add expert analysis during severe events.

Does the Raleigh weather radar cover Durham and Chapel Hill?

Yes. The radar map is centered on Raleigh but covers the entire Triangle metro area, including Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, and Apex. You can zoom out to see precipitation across all of central North Carolina, from the Sandhills to the Virginia border. Wake, Durham, and Orange counties are all within the default view.

How much snow does Raleigh get in a typical winter?

Raleigh averages 5.2 inches of snow per year, though totals vary widely. The biggest single storm on record dropped 20.3 inches in January 2000. Ice storms are actually a bigger winter concern than snow — freezing rain accumulations can knock out power and close roads for days. The Raleigh weather radar helps track these winter systems as they approach from the southwest.

When is severe weather season in Raleigh?

Severe thunderstorm and tornado risk peaks from April through June. Hurricane season runs June through November, with the highest threat in August and September. The 1988 F4 tornado struck in November, and the 2011 EF3 tornado hit in April, so threats can arrive outside typical windows. Monitor the Raleigh weather radar throughout spring and fall for approaching storm systems.