Chester Gap, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Chester Gap, Rappahannock County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Chester Gap?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 82 days in the Rappahannock forecast zone and Rappahannock County — the most common reported hazard around Chester Gap, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (56 days) and excessive heat (38 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 82 | Jun 2026 | May 4, 1996 · $40,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 56 | Jan 2026 | Feb 5, 2010 · $5,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 38 | Aug 2021 | — |
| Flash flooding | 28 | Jul 2023 | Sep 6, 1996 · $320,000 damage |
| Flooding | 24 | May 2025 | Sep 6, 1996 · $520,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 14 | Feb 2026 | — |
| High winds | 11 | Mar 2024 | Sep 6, 1996 · $510,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Nov 2006 | Feb 4, 1998 · $50,000 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 Rappahannock forecast zone and Rappahannock County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Chester Gap get?
A normal year brings about 21 inches of snow to Chester Gap, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Front Royal weather station 4.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (9.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 9.4 | 2.2 | 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 Chester Gap?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 36 miles east-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 Chester Gap | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 36 mi east-northeast | 2,300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 143 mi south-southeast | 16,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCCX State College, PA | 143 mi north | 16,900 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 Chester Gap
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 56 tornadoes within 25 miles of Chester Gap, 8 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and June. The strongest was an F4 on September 24, 2001, which passed about 18 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 30, 2025, which touched down about 19 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 206 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on April 23, 1999.
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 Chester Gap'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.
Chester Gap radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Chester Gap, VA?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 36 miles east-northeast. KAKQ (Wakefield, VA) is 143 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Chester Gap?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Chester Gap the lowest scan from KLWX is about 2,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Chester Gap 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 Chester Gap, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Front Royal, VA radar 6 mi
- Middletown, VA radar 15 mi
- Strasburg, VA radar 16 mi
- Stephens City, VA radar 17 mi
- Warrenton, VA radar 20 mi
- Woodstock, VA radar 21 mi
- Luray, VA radar 22 mi
- Berryville, VA radar 22 mi
- Winchester, VA radar 23 mi
- Edinburg, VA radar 23 mi