Brightwood, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Brightwood, Madison County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Brightwood?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 103 days in the Madison forecast zone and Madison County — the most common reported hazard around Brightwood, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (52 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (49 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 103 | Jun 2026 | Aug 7, 2023 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 52 | Jul 2025 | Sep 6, 1996 · $3.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Jan 2026 | Feb 5, 2010 · $5,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 34 | Aug 2021 | — |
| Flash flooding | 33 | Jul 2025 | May 30, 2018 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 14 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Feb 2021 | Feb 4, 1998 · $60,000 damage |
| High winds | 8 | Mar 2018 | Sep 6, 1996 · $770,000 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 Madison forecast zone and Madison County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Brightwood get?
A normal year brings about 16 inches of snow to Brightwood, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Somerset weather station 12.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.4 | 3.7 | 3.4 | 6.1 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 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 Brightwood?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 54 miles northeast. 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 Brightwood | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 54 mi northeast | 4,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 118 mi south-southeast | 12,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 149 mi southwest | 18,000 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 Brightwood
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 57 tornadoes within 25 miles of Brightwood, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and August. The strongest was an F4 on September 24, 2001, which passed about 15 miles northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 30, 2025, which touched down about 24 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 172 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 4, 1996.
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 Brightwood'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.
Brightwood radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Brightwood, VA?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 54 miles northeast. KAKQ (Wakefield, VA) is 118 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Brightwood?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Brightwood the lowest scan from KLWX is about 4,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Brightwood 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 Brightwood, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Culpeper, VA radar 11 mi
- Orange, VA radar 12 mi
- Gordonsville, VA radar 19 mi
- Stanley, VA radar 21 mi
- Luray, VA radar 23 mi
- Elkton, VA radar 23 mi
- Shenandoah, VA radar 24 mi
- Louisa, VA radar 29 mi
- Warrenton, VA radar 30 mi
- Charlottesville, VA radar 31 mi