Altavista, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Altavista, Campbell County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Altavista?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 170 days in the Campbell forecast zone and Campbell County — the most common reported hazard around Altavista, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (51 days) and flash flooding (38 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 170 | May 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · $250,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 51 | Jan 2026 | Feb 11, 2025 · $60,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 38 | Feb 2025 | Sep 6, 1996 · $1.8 million damage |
| Flooding | 28 | Feb 2025 | Sep 4, 1996 · $70,000 damage |
| High winds | 20 | Mar 2025 | Sep 6, 1996 · $300,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 18 | Aug 2024 | Jun 9, 2007 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Dec 2013 | Dec 15, 2005 · $12,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Dec 2022 | Mar 8, 1996 · $12,000 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 Campbell forecast zone and Campbell County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Altavista get?
A normal year brings about 5.9 inches of snow to Altavista, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Huddleston 4 Sw weather station 13.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (2.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 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 Altavista?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 55 miles west. 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 Altavista | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 55 mi west | 4,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 110 mi south-southeast | 11,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 126 mi east | 13,700 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 Altavista
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 37 tornadoes within 25 miles of Altavista, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an EF3 on February 24, 2016, which passed about 25 miles east-northeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF2 on September 27, 2024, which passed about 24 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 222 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 23, 2016.
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 Altavista'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.
Altavista radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Altavista, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 55 miles west. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 110 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Altavista?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Altavista the lowest scan from KFCX is about 4,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Altavista 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 Altavista, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hurt, VA radar 2 mi
- Gretna, VA radar 13 mi
- Brookneal, VA radar 19 mi
- Bedford, VA radar 20 mi
- Lynchburg, VA radar 20 mi
- Chatham, VA radar 22 mi
- Appomattox, VA radar 30 mi
- Halifax, VA radar 32 mi
- Amherst, VA radar 34 mi
- Rocky Mount, VA radar 34 mi