Buena Vista, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Buena Vista, City of Buena Vista County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Buena Vista?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 65 days in the Rockbridge forecast zone and City of Buena Vista County — the most common reported hazard around Buena Vista, mostly in January and February. Next come high winds (37 days) and ice storms & sleet (18 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 65 | Jan 2026 | Mar 5, 2013 · $15,000 damage |
| High winds | 37 | Feb 2025 | Mar 2, 2018 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 18 | Nov 2018 | Dec 15, 2007 · $25,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 17 | Jun 2022 | Jun 27, 2007 · $30,000 damage |
| Flooding | 9 | Nov 2005 | Sep 18, 2003 · $650,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Dec 2022 | Mar 8, 1996 · $2,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 2 | Sep 2018 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 1 | Sep 2003 | — |
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 Rockbridge forecast zone and City of Buena Vista County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Buena Vista get?
A normal year brings about 11 inches of snow to Buena Vista, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Buena Vista weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (3.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.6 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 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 Buena Vista?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 70 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 Buena Vista | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 70 mi southwest | 5,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 133 mi northeast | 15,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 135 mi west-northwest | 15,300 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 Buena Vista
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 9 tornadoes within 25 miles of Buena Vista, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF3 on April 15, 2018, which passed about 14 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF2 on May 27, 2022, which passed about 19 miles south of town.
Hail: 124 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 Buena Vista'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.
Buena Vista radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Buena Vista, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 70 miles southwest. KLWX (Sterling, MD) is 133 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Buena Vista?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Buena Vista the lowest scan from KFCX is about 5,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Lexington, VA radar 6 mi
- Glasgow, VA radar 9 mi
- Amherst, VA radar 20 mi
- Buchanan, VA radar 23 mi
- Lynchburg, VA radar 25 mi
- Clifton Forge, VA radar 26 mi
- Bedford, VA radar 28 mi
- Staunton, VA radar 34 mi
- Waynesboro, VA radar 34 mi
- Covington, VA radar 34 mi