Bull Run, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bull Run, Prince William County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bull Run?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 170 days in the Central and Southeast Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park forecast zone and Prince William County — the most common reported hazard around Bull Run, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (69 days) and flash flooding (44 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 170 | Jun 2026 | Jul 29, 2023 · 1 death · $250,000 damage |
| Flooding | 69 | Jun 2025 | Jun 9, 2018 · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 44 | Jul 2025 | Sep 6, 1996 · $220,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | Jun 2019 | May 22, 2001 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Jun 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 3 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Storm surge | 1 | Sep 1996 | Sep 6, 1996 · $500,000 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 Central and Southeast Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park forecast zone and Prince William County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bull Run get?
A normal year brings about 21 inches of snow to Bull Run, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Washington Dc Dulles Ap weather station 11.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.3 | 2.8 | 6.9 | 7.0 | 3.9 | 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 Bull Run?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 14 miles north. 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 Bull Run | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 14 mi north | 700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 112 mi east | 11,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 127 mi south-southeast | 14,000 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 Bull Run
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 93 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bull Run, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 28, 2002, which passed about 24 miles southeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 8, 2024, which passed about 21 miles south of town.
Hail: 389 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 23 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on July 2, 1968.
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 Bull Run'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.
Bull Run radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bull Run, VA?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 14 miles north. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 112 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Bull Run?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Bull Run the lowest scan from KLWX is about 700 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Bull Run 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 Bull Run, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Manassas, VA radar 3 mi
- Manassas Park, VA radar 4 mi
- Haymarket, VA radar 7 mi
- Fairfax, VA radar 13 mi
- Herndon, VA radar 15 mi
- Occoquan, VA radar 16 mi
- Warrenton, VA radar 16 mi
- Vienna, VA radar 16 mi
- Dumfries, VA radar 18 mi
- Falls Church, VA radar 20 mi