Roanoke Rapids, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Roanoke Rapids, Halifax County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Roanoke Rapids?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 129 days in the Halifax forecast zone and Halifax County — the most common reported hazard around Roanoke Rapids, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (33 days) and flash flooding (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 129 | Jun 2026 | Jun 7, 2003 · $250,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 33 | Jan 2026 | Feb 25, 2015 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 32 | Sep 2023 | Sep 15, 1999 · 2 deaths |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 9 | Aug 2020 | Sep 18, 2003 · $1.6 million damage |
| High winds | 6 | Aug 2011 | Aug 27, 2011 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 6 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Dec 1998 | — |
| Flooding | 2 | Oct 2016 | Oct 9, 2016 · $94 million 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 Halifax forecast zone and Halifax County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Roanoke Rapids get?
A normal year brings about 5.0 inches of snow to Roanoke Rapids, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Jackson weather station 13 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 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 Roanoke Rapids?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 51 miles 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 Roanoke Rapids | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 51 mi northeast | 3,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 72 mi southwest | 5,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 123 mi south-southeast | 13,300 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 Roanoke Rapids
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 40 tornadoes within 25 miles of Roanoke Rapids, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an F4 on November 27, 1988, which passed about 6 miles south-southeast of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on January 4, 2023, which touched down about 21 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 99 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 June 4, 1993.
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 Roanoke Rapids'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.
Roanoke Rapids radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Roanoke Rapids, NC?
KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 51 miles northeast. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 72 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Roanoke Rapids?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Roanoke Rapids the lowest scan from KAKQ is about 3,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Roanoke Rapids 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 Roanoke Rapids, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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