Amherst, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Amherst, Amherst County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Amherst?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 122 days in the Amherst forecast zone and Amherst County — the most common reported hazard around Amherst, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (52 days) and high winds (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 122 | Jun 2026 | May 4, 2021 · 1 death · $15,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 52 | Jan 2026 | Feb 11, 2025 · $25,000 damage |
| High winds | 34 | Feb 2025 | Jan 19, 1996 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 20 | Aug 2024 | Nov 29, 2005 · $325,000 damage |
| Flooding | 14 | Jan 2024 | Feb 22, 2003 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Dec 2013 | Dec 15, 2007 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Apr 1997 | Apr 9, 1997 · $200,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Sep 2015 | Aug 21, 2014 · $200,000 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 Amherst forecast zone and Amherst County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Amherst get?
A normal year brings about 16 inches of snow to Amherst, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Pedlar Dam weather station 13.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.4 | 4.6 | 6.0 | 2.6 | 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 Amherst?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 77 miles west-southwest. 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 Amherst | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 77 mi west-southwest | 6,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 120 mi east-southeast | 12,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 128 mi northeast | 14,200 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 Amherst
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 17 tornadoes within 25 miles of Amherst, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF3 on February 24, 2016, which passed about 24 miles southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF2 on May 27, 2022, which passed about 17 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 159 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 16, 1998.
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 Amherst'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.
Amherst radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Amherst, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 77 miles west-southwest. KAKQ (Wakefield, VA) is 120 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Amherst?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Amherst the lowest scan from KFCX is about 6,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Amherst 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 Amherst, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Lynchburg, VA radar 15 mi
- Buena Vista, VA radar 20 mi
- Appomattox, VA radar 20 mi
- Glasgow, VA radar 23 mi
- Lexington, VA radar 26 mi
- Bedford, VA radar 30 mi
- Altavista, VA radar 34 mi
- Waynesboro, VA radar 35 mi
- Buchanan, VA radar 35 mi
- Hurt, VA radar 36 mi