Alberta, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Alberta, Brunswick County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Alberta?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 100 days in the Brunswick forecast zone and Brunswick County — the most common reported hazard around Alberta, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (27 days) and flash flooding (14 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 100 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · $15,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 27 | Feb 2025 | Feb 18, 2021 · $30,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Aug 2025 | Sep 16, 1999 · $300,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Feb 2021 | Feb 13, 2021 · $40,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | Jun 2019 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 2 | Aug 2011 | Aug 27, 2011 · 1 death · $6.2 million damage |
| High winds | 1 | Sep 1999 | Sep 16, 1999 · $3,000 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 Brunswick forecast zone and Brunswick County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Alberta get?
A normal year brings about 9.6 inches of snow to Alberta, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Alberta 5 N weather station 5.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (3.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 3.7 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 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 Alberta?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 50 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 Alberta | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 50 mi east | 3,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 89 mi south-southwest | 8,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 132 mi west | 14,800 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 Alberta
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 47 tornadoes within 25 miles of Alberta, 8 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F3 on April 19, 1978, which passed about 18 miles east of town. The most recent was an EF0 on November 11, 2022, which touched down about 16 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 78 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on May 9, 2003.
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 Alberta'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.
Alberta radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Alberta, VA?
KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 50 miles east. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 89 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Alberta?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Alberta the lowest scan from KAKQ is about 3,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Alberta 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 Alberta, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Kenbridge, VA radar 15 mi
- South Hill, VA radar 16 mi
- Blackstone, VA radar 17 mi
- Victoria, VA radar 21 mi
- Emporia, VA radar 23 mi
- Crewe, VA radar 26 mi
- Chase City, VA radar 32 mi
- Petersburg, VA radar 37 mi
- Colonial Heights, VA radar 39 mi
- Clarksville, VA radar 41 mi