Ferrum, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ferrum, Franklin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ferrum?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 207 days in the Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County — the most common reported hazard around Ferrum, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (49 days) and flash flooding (46 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 207 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · 1 death · $750,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Jan 2026 | Feb 12, 2014 · $113,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 46 | Jun 2025 | Sep 6, 1996 · $600,000 damage |
| High winds | 44 | Feb 2025 | Apr 16, 2007 · $120,000 damage |
| Flooding | 27 | Aug 2024 | May 21, 2020 · $2.1 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 18 | Jul 2025 | Jun 25, 1997 · $250,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Dec 2013 | Dec 15, 2005 · $8,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Dec 2022 | Mar 8, 1996 · $12,000 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 Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ferrum get?
A normal year brings about 13 inches of snow to Ferrum, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rocky Mt weather station 6.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (4.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.4 | 3.6 | 4.9 | 2.5 | 0.2 | 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 Ferrum?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 16 miles west-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 Ferrum | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 16 mi west-northwest | 900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 122 mi southeast | 13,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 134 mi northwest | 15,100 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 Ferrum
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 13 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ferrum, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an EF3 on April 19, 2019, which passed about 8 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 26, 2024, which touched down about 23 miles north of town.
Hail: 302 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 4, 1993.
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 Ferrum'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.
Ferrum radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ferrum, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 16 miles west-northwest. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 122 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ferrum?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ferrum the lowest scan from KFCX is about 900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ferrum 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 Ferrum, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Rocky Mount, VA radar 8 mi
- Martinsville, VA radar 19 mi
- Roanoke, VA radar 24 mi
- Vinton, VA radar 24 mi
- Salem, VA radar 24 mi
- Stuart, VA radar 26 mi
- Christiansburg, VA radar 27 mi
- Blacksburg, VA radar 31 mi
- Radford, VA radar 34 mi
- Chatham, VA radar 34 mi