Flat Rock, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Flat Rock, Surry County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Flat Rock?
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 Flat Rock, 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 Flat Rock get?
A normal year brings about 8.2 inches of snow to Flat Rock, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mt Airy 2 W weather station 4 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 Flat Rock?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 40 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 Flat Rock | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 40 mi north-northeast | 2,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 131 mi east-southeast | 14,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 139 mi north-northwest | 16,100 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 Flat Rock
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 34 tornadoes within 25 miles of Flat Rock, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an EF2 on May 8, 2009, which passed about 21 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF0 on April 28, 2023, which touched down about 22 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 271 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 15 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 Flat Rock'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.
Flat Rock radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Flat Rock, NC?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 40 miles north-northeast. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 131 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Flat Rock?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Flat Rock the lowest scan from KFCX is about 2,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Flat Rock 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 Flat Rock, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Mount Airy, NC radar 2 mi
- Pilot Mountain, NC radar 10 mi
- Dobson, NC radar 11 mi
- Boonville, NC radar 20 mi
- King, NC radar 20 mi
- Elkin, NC radar 22 mi
- Tobaccoville, NC radar 23 mi
- Jonesville, NC radar 23 mi
- Rural Hall, NC radar 25 mi
- Yadkinville, NC radar 26 mi