Drakes Branch, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Drakes Branch, Charlotte County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Drakes Branch?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 129 days in the Charlotte forecast zone and Charlotte County — the most common reported hazard around Drakes Branch, mostly in July and June. Next come flooding (43 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (38 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 129 | Jun 2026 | Dec 7, 2011 · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 43 | Aug 2024 | Sep 4, 1996 · $70,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 38 | Jan 2026 | Feb 11, 2025 · $35,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 13 | Aug 2024 | Oct 11, 2018 · 2 deaths · $1.1 million damage |
| High winds | 8 | Feb 2025 | Sep 5, 1996 · $260,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2005 | Feb 2, 1996 · $100,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 3 | Oct 2020 | Sep 18, 2003 · $1.5 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | May 2019 | May 31, 2019 · $2,000 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 Charlotte forecast zone and Charlotte County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Drakes Branch get?
A normal year brings about 7.7 inches of snow to Drakes Branch, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Charlotte Court House weather station 4.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (3.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 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 Drakes Branch?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 88 miles east. 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 Drakes Branch | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 88 mi east | 7,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 92 mi south | 8,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 92 mi west | 8,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Drakes Branch
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 26 tornadoes within 25 miles of Drakes Branch, 8 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and May. The strongest was an EF3 on February 24, 2016, which passed about 22 miles northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on July 24, 2024, which passed about 23 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 107 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 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 Drakes Branch'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.
Drakes Branch radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Drakes Branch, VA?
KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 88 miles east. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 92 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Drakes Branch?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Drakes Branch the lowest scan from KAKQ is about 7,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Drakes Branch 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 Drakes Branch, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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