Dobson, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dobson, Surry County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dobson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 220 days in the Surry forecast zone and Surry County — the most common reported hazard around Dobson, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (48 days) and high winds (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 220 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 48 | Jun 2026 | Jan 14, 2005 · $800,000 damage |
| High winds | 40 | Mar 2025 | Oct 29, 2012 · 1 death · $20,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 38 | Jan 2026 | Feb 4, 2010 · 1 death · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 20 | Jan 2024 | Feb 6, 2020 · $30,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Jul 2021 | Jul 28, 1997 · $425,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Dec 2013 | Feb 1, 1996 · $300,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Dec 2022 | Jan 9, 2017 · 1 death |
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 Surry forecast zone and Surry County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Dobson get?
A normal year brings about 8.2 inches of snow to Dobson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mt Airy 2 W weather station 8.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (3.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.7 | 3.1 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 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 Dobson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 50 miles north-northeast. 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 Dobson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 50 mi north-northeast | 3,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGSP Greer, SC | 134 mi southwest | 15,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 135 mi east-southeast | 15,300 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 Dobson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 43 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dobson, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an EF2 on May 8, 2009, which passed about 16 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on September 26, 2024, which touched down about 17 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 248 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 5, 1985.
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 Dobson'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.
Dobson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dobson, NC?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 50 miles north-northeast. KGSP (Greer, SC) is 134 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dobson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dobson the lowest scan from KFCX is about 3,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Dobson 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 Dobson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Mount Airy, NC radar 10 mi
- Boonville, NC radar 11 mi
- Elkin, NC radar 11 mi
- Jonesville, NC radar 12 mi
- Pilot Mountain, NC radar 14 mi
- Yadkinville, NC radar 18 mi
- King, NC radar 22 mi
- Tobaccoville, NC radar 23 mi
- Sparta, NC radar 23 mi
- Lewisville, NC radar 26 mi