Fairfax, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fairfax, City of Fairfax County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fairfax?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged dangerous heat on 62 days in the Fairfax forecast zone and City of Fairfax County — the most common reported hazard around Fairfax, mostly in July and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (50 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (24 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive heat | 62 | Jul 2024 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Jan 2026 | Jan 25, 2004 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 24 | Jul 2025 | Jul 4, 2006 · $15,000 damage |
| Flooding | 17 | Mar 2026 | Jan 19, 1996 · $2.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Feb 2026 | Jan 27, 2000 · 1 death |
| High winds | 16 | Feb 2025 | Oct 29, 2012 · $630,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Feb 2021 | Jan 14, 1999 · $20,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 5 | Aug 2020 | Sep 16, 1999 · 1 death · $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 Fairfax forecast zone and City of Fairfax County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Fairfax get?
A normal year brings about 19 inches of snow to Fairfax, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Vienna weather station 2.7 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 Fairfax?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 13 miles 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 Fairfax | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 13 mi northwest | 700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 100 mi east | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 130 mi south | 14,500 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 Fairfax
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 107 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fairfax, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 28, 2002, which passed about 22 miles south-southeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 5, 2024, which passed about 20 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 472 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 Fairfax'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.
Fairfax radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fairfax, VA?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 13 miles northwest. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 100 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fairfax?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fairfax the lowest scan from KLWX is about 700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Fairfax 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 Fairfax, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Vienna, VA radar 4 mi
- Falls Church, VA radar 7 mi
- Herndon, VA radar 9 mi
- Manassas Park, VA radar 10 mi
- Alexandria, VA radar 12 mi
- Occoquan, VA radar 12 mi
- Manassas, VA radar 12 mi
- Haymarket, VA radar 18 mi
- Dumfries, VA radar 20 mi
- Leesburg, VA radar 22 mi