Chatham, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Chatham, Pittsylvania County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Chatham?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 248 days in the Pittsylvania forecast zone and Pittsylvania County — the most common reported hazard around Chatham, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (46 days) and flash flooding (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 248 | Jun 2026 | May 31, 2019 · $499,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 46 | Jan 2026 | Jan 24, 2026 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 40 | Sep 2024 | Sep 6, 1996 · 1 death · $4.7 million damage |
| Flooding | 37 | Jan 2024 | Sep 3, 1996 · $4.2 million damage |
| High winds | 22 | Mar 2025 | Sep 5, 1996 · $1.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 13 | Apr 2024 | Jul 16, 1997 · $40,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Dec 2005 | Feb 2, 1996 · $100,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 3 | Oct 2020 | Sep 18, 2003 · $968,000 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 Pittsylvania forecast zone and Pittsylvania County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Chatham get?
A normal year brings about 5.8 inches of snow to Chatham, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Chatham weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (1.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 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 Chatham?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 50 miles west-northwest. 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 Chatham | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 50 mi west-northwest | 3,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 94 mi south-southeast | 8,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 133 mi east | 14,900 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 Chatham
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 39 tornadoes within 25 miles of Chatham, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF2 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 17 miles east of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF2 on September 27, 2024, which passed about 6 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 209 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 2, 2002.
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 Chatham'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.
Chatham radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Chatham, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 50 miles west-northwest. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 94 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Chatham?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Chatham the lowest scan from KFCX is about 3,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Chatham 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 Chatham, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Gretna, VA radar 10 mi
- Danville, VA radar 16 mi
- Hurt, VA radar 20 mi
- Altavista, VA radar 22 mi
- Halifax, VA radar 26 mi
- Martinsville, VA radar 27 mi
- South Boston, VA radar 28 mi
- Brookneal, VA radar 30 mi
- Rocky Mount, VA radar 30 mi
- Bedford, VA radar 37 mi