Chilhowie, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Chilhowie, Smyth County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Chilhowie?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 89 days in the Smyth forecast zone and Smyth County — the most common reported hazard around Chilhowie, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (57 days) and high winds (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 89 | Jun 2025 | May 6, 2022 · $3.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 57 | Jan 2026 | Feb 11, 2025 · $10,000 damage |
| High winds | 42 | Mar 2025 | Sep 27, 2024 · $36 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 28 | Feb 2025 | Sep 27, 2024 · $25 million damage |
| Flooding | 22 | Feb 2025 | Nov 19, 2003 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Dec 2022 | Mar 8, 1996 · $3,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Jan 2005 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Jun 2013 | Apr 15, 1996 · $100,000 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 Smyth forecast zone and Smyth County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Chilhowie get?
A normal year brings about 10 inches of snow to Chilhowie, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Saltville 1N weather station 7.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (4.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 4.2 | 1.6 | 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 Chilhowie?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 79 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 Chilhowie | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 79 mi east-northeast | 6,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 104 mi north | 10,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 105 mi west-southwest | 10,400 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 Chilhowie
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 18 tornadoes within 25 miles of Chilhowie, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF3 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 2 miles northwest of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 12, 2017, which touched down about 24 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 107 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 April 9, 2011.
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 Chilhowie'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.
Chilhowie radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Chilhowie, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 79 miles east-northeast. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Chilhowie?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Chilhowie the lowest scan from KFCX is about 6,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Chilhowie 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 Chilhowie, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Glade Spring, VA radar 5 mi
- Saltville, VA radar 7 mi
- Marion, VA radar 10 mi
- Abingdon, VA radar 17 mi
- Cedar Bluff, VA radar 20 mi
- Richlands, VA radar 21 mi
- Honaker, VA radar 22 mi
- Lebanon, VA radar 23 mi
- Rural Retreat, VA radar 24 mi
- Tazewell, VA radar 25 mi