Chesapeake, OH Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Chesapeake, Lawrence County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Chesapeake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 101 days in the Lawrence forecast zone and Lawrence County — the most common reported hazard around Chesapeake, mostly in July and June. Next come flooding (52 days) and flash flooding (43 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 101 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · $1.5 million damage |
| Flooding | 52 | May 2025 | Apr 21, 2002 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 43 | May 2026 | May 10, 2011 · $8.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 32 | Jan 2026 | Feb 3, 1998 · $200,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 30 | Feb 2026 | Feb 18, 2015 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 19 | Jul 2011 | — |
| High winds | 11 | Apr 2023 | Mar 9, 2002 · $5,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jun 2011 | Jun 21, 2011 · $25,000 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 Lawrence forecast zone and Lawrence County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Chesapeake get?
A normal year brings about 10 inches of snow to Chesapeake, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Huntington Swg Pl weather station 4.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 4.3 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 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 Chesapeake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 41 miles east. 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 Chesapeake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 41 mi east | 2,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 74 mi southwest | 6,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 101 mi northwest | 9,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Chesapeake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 31 tornadoes within 25 miles of Chesapeake, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an F5 on April 23, 1968, which passed about 23 miles north-northwest of town and caused 7 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 2, 2024, which passed about 15 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 224 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on May 19, 1967.
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 Chesapeake'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.
Chesapeake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Chesapeake, OH?
KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 41 miles east. KJKL (Jackson, KY) is 74 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Chesapeake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Chesapeake the lowest scan from KRLX is about 2,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- South Point, OH radar 7 mi
- Coal Grove, OH radar 11 mi
- Ironton, OH radar 14 mi
- Gallipolis, OH radar 31 mi
- Oak Hill, OH radar 33 mi
- New Boston, OH radar 34 mi
- Portsmouth, OH radar 35 mi
- Jackson, OH radar 44 mi
- Middleport, OH radar 44 mi
- Pomeroy, OH radar 48 mi