Columbia, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Columbia, Fluvanna County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Columbia?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 82 days in the Fluvanna forecast zone and Fluvanna County — the most common reported hazard around Columbia, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (53 days) and flooding (6 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 82 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · $300,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 53 | Feb 2025 | Feb 18, 2021 · $30,000 damage |
| Flooding | 6 | Nov 2020 | — |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Jun 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 4 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Feb 2021 | Feb 13, 2021 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 1 | Jan 2000 | Jan 13, 2000 · $2,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 1 | Sep 2003 | Sep 18, 2003 · $36,000 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 Fluvanna forecast zone and Fluvanna County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Columbia get?
A normal year brings about 12 inches of snow to Columbia, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Palmyra 3S weather station 6.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (4.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 2.0 | 3.7 | 4.7 | 1.8 | 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 Columbia?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 83 miles southeast. 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 Columbia | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 83 mi southeast | 7,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 92 mi north-northeast | 8,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 126 mi west-southwest | 13,800 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 Columbia
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 35 tornadoes within 25 miles of Columbia, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and September. The strongest was an F3 on September 30, 1959, which passed about 10 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 16, 2022, which touched down about 21 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 139 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 16, 2022.
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 Columbia'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.
Columbia radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Columbia, VA?
KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 83 miles southeast. KLWX (Sterling, MD) is 92 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Columbia?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Columbia the lowest scan from KAKQ is about 7,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Columbia 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 Columbia, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Louisa, VA radar 20 mi
- Charlottesville, VA radar 26 mi
- Gordonsville, VA radar 26 mi
- Farmville, VA radar 34 mi
- Orange, VA radar 34 mi
- Ashland, VA radar 38 mi
- Crewe, VA radar 40 mi
- Richmond, VA radar 41 mi
- Appomattox, VA radar 45 mi
- Waynesboro, VA radar 46 mi