Blue Ridge, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Blue Ridge, Botetourt County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Blue Ridge?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 103 days in the Botetourt forecast zone and Botetourt County — the most common reported hazard around Blue Ridge, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (55 days) and high winds (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 103 | May 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · $600,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 55 | Jan 2026 | Jan 22, 2016 · 1 death |
| High winds | 40 | Feb 2025 | Mar 1, 2018 · $70,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 28 | Jul 2025 | Jan 19, 1996 · $1.6 million damage |
| Flooding | 25 | Jun 2025 | Jul 3, 2013 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Dec 2013 | Dec 15, 2007 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Dec 2022 | Apr 9, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Jul 2023 | Aug 5, 2003 · $250,000 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 Botetourt forecast zone and Botetourt County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Blue Ridge get?
A normal year brings about 11 inches of snow to Blue Ridge, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Roanoke 8 N weather station 7.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (4.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.7 | 2.8 | 4.8 | 1.0 | 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 Blue Ridge?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 35 miles 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 Blue Ridge | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 35 mi southwest | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 122 mi west-northwest | 13,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 140 mi south-southeast | 16,200 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 Blue Ridge
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 20 tornadoes within 25 miles of Blue Ridge, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F2 on April 28, 2002, which passed about 24 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on September 27, 2024, which touched down about 14 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 248 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 8 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 22, 2004.
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 Blue Ridge'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.
Blue Ridge radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Blue Ridge, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 35 miles southwest. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 122 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Blue Ridge?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Blue Ridge the lowest scan from KFCX is about 2,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Vinton, VA radar 8 mi
- Roanoke, VA radar 10 mi
- Buchanan, VA radar 12 mi
- Salem, VA radar 14 mi
- Bedford, VA radar 17 mi
- Rocky Mount, VA radar 26 mi
- Glasgow, VA radar 26 mi
- Covington, VA radar 29 mi
- Clifton Forge, VA radar 31 mi
- Lynchburg, VA radar 34 mi