Atkins, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Atkins, Smyth County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Atkins?
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 Atkins, 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 Atkins get?
A normal year brings about 8.5 inches of snow to Atkins, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Trout Dale 3 Sse weather station 14.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.4 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 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 Atkins?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 63 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 Atkins | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 63 mi east | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 101 mi north | 9,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 117 mi west-northwest | 12,200 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 Atkins
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 11 tornadoes within 25 miles of Atkins, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and July. The strongest was an EF3 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 16 miles west of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on October 23, 2017, which touched down about 24 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 131 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 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 Atkins'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.
Atkins radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Atkins, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 63 miles east. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 101 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Atkins?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Atkins the lowest scan from KFCX is about 4,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Atkins 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 Atkins, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Marion, VA radar 7 mi
- Rural Retreat, VA radar 7 mi
- Chilhowie, VA radar 16 mi
- Wytheville, VA radar 18 mi
- Tazewell, VA radar 19 mi
- Saltville, VA radar 20 mi
- Glade Spring, VA radar 21 mi
- Cedar Bluff, VA radar 25 mi
- Bluefield, VA radar 26 mi
- Richlands, VA radar 27 mi