Allison Gap, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Allison Gap, Smyth County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Allison Gap?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 89 days in the Smyth forecast zone and Smyth County — the most common reported hazard around Allison Gap, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (57 days) and high winds (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 89 | Jun 2025 | May 6, 2022 · $3.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 57 | Jan 2026 | Feb 11, 2025 · $10,000 damage |
| High winds | 42 | Mar 2025 | Sep 27, 2024 · $36 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 28 | Feb 2025 | Sep 27, 2024 · $25 million damage |
| Flooding | 22 | Feb 2025 | Nov 19, 2003 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Dec 2022 | Mar 8, 1996 · $3,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Jan 2005 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Jun 2013 | Apr 15, 1996 · $100,000 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 Smyth forecast zone and Smyth County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Allison Gap get?
A normal year brings about 10 inches of snow to Allison Gap, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Saltville 1N weather station 1.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (4.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 4.2 | 1.6 | 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 Allison Gap?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 84 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 Allison Gap | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 84 mi east | 7,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 97 mi west-northwest | 9,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 98 mi north | 9,300 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 Allison Gap
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 17 tornadoes within 25 miles of Allison Gap, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF3 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 7 miles southeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 24, 2011, which passed about 21 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 91 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 9, 2011.
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 Allison Gap'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.
Allison Gap radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Allison Gap, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 84 miles east. KJKL (Jackson, KY) is 97 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Allison Gap?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Allison Gap the lowest scan from KFCX is about 7,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Allison Gap 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 Allison Gap, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Saltville, VA radar 2 mi
- Glade Spring, VA radar 8 mi
- Chilhowie, VA radar 9 mi
- Honaker, VA radar 13 mi
- Cedar Bluff, VA radar 13 mi
- Richlands, VA radar 13 mi
- Marion, VA radar 16 mi
- Lebanon, VA radar 16 mi
- Abingdon, VA radar 17 mi
- Tazewell, VA radar 22 mi