Buchanan, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Buchanan, Botetourt County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Buchanan?
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 Buchanan, 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 Buchanan get?
A normal year brings about 11 inches of snow to Buchanan, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Buchanan weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (4.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.7 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 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 Buchanan?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 47 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 Buchanan | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 47 mi southwest | 3,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 124 mi west-northwest | 13,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 145 mi south-southeast | 17,100 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 Buchanan
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 20 tornadoes within 25 miles of Buchanan, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an F2 on April 28, 2002, which passed about 23 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on September 27, 2024, which touched down about 15 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 225 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 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 Buchanan'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.
Buchanan radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Buchanan, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 47 miles southwest. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 124 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Buchanan?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Buchanan the lowest scan from KFCX is about 3,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Buchanan 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 Buchanan, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Glasgow, VA radar 15 mi
- Bedford, VA radar 16 mi
- Vinton, VA radar 20 mi
- Clifton Forge, VA radar 22 mi
- Roanoke, VA radar 22 mi
- Lexington, VA radar 23 mi
- Buena Vista, VA radar 23 mi
- Covington, VA radar 24 mi
- Salem, VA radar 26 mi
- Lynchburg, VA radar 28 mi