Clifton, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Clifton, Fairfax County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Clifton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 244 days in the Fairfax forecast zone and Fairfax County — the most common reported hazard around Clifton, mostly in July and June. Next come flooding (113 days) and flash flooding (86 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 244 | Jun 2026 | May 16, 2025 · 1 death · $250,000 damage |
| Flooding | 113 | Mar 2026 | Jan 19, 1996 · $2.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 86 | Aug 2025 | Sep 8, 2011 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 62 | Jul 2024 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Jan 2026 | Jan 25, 2004 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Feb 2026 | Jan 27, 2000 · 1 death |
| High winds | 16 | Feb 2025 | Oct 29, 2012 · $630,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 15 | Jul 2008 | Apr 28, 2002 · $1.2 million 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 Fairfax forecast zone and Fairfax County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Clifton get?
A normal year brings about 19 inches of snow to Clifton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Vienna weather station 9.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 2.4 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 2.0 | 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 Clifton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 15 miles north-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 Clifton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 15 mi north-northwest | 800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 105 mi east | 10,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 126 mi south | 13,700 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 Clifton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 90 tornadoes within 25 miles of Clifton, 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 19 miles southeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 8, 2024, which passed about 23 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 430 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 25 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 Clifton'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.
Clifton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Clifton, VA?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 15 miles north-northwest. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 105 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Clifton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Clifton the lowest scan from KLWX is about 800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Clifton 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 Clifton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Manassas Park, VA radar 3 mi
- Manassas, VA radar 6 mi
- Fairfax, VA radar 7 mi
- Occoquan, VA radar 10 mi
- Vienna, VA radar 11 mi
- Herndon, VA radar 13 mi
- Falls Church, VA radar 13 mi
- Haymarket, VA radar 14 mi
- Dumfries, VA radar 15 mi
- Alexandria, VA radar 17 mi