Forest, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Forest, Bedford County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Forest?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 200 days in the Bedford forecast zone and Bedford County — the most common reported hazard around Forest, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (51 days) and flash flooding (38 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 200 | Jun 2026 | Sep 22, 2010 · $2.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 51 | Jan 2026 | Feb 2, 1996 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 38 | May 2025 | Sep 6, 1996 · $400,000 damage |
| High winds | 35 | Feb 2025 | Jan 10, 2001 · $400,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 20 | Jul 2025 | Jul 14, 2016 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 13 | Jul 2023 | Mar 6, 2011 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 13 | Dec 2013 | Dec 15, 2007 · $12,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | 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 Bedford forecast zone and Bedford County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Forest get?
A normal year brings about 12 inches of snow to Forest, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lynchburg #2 weather station 2.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (4.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.8 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 1.6 | 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 Forest?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 60 miles west-southwest. 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 Forest | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 60 mi west-southwest | 4,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 126 mi south-southeast | 13,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 128 mi east-southeast | 14,100 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 Forest
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 23 tornadoes within 25 miles of Forest, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and July. The strongest was an EF3 on April 15, 2018, which passed about 3 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on September 27, 2024, which touched down about 17 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 188 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on June 23, 2016.
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 Forest'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.
Forest radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Forest, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 60 miles west-southwest. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 126 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Forest?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Forest the lowest scan from KFCX is about 4,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Forest 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 Forest, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Lynchburg, VA radar 5 mi
- Bedford, VA radar 13 mi
- Altavista, VA radar 17 mi
- Amherst, VA radar 19 mi
- Hurt, VA radar 19 mi
- Glasgow, VA radar 20 mi
- Appomattox, VA radar 25 mi
- Buchanan, VA radar 25 mi
- Buena Vista, VA radar 25 mi
- Brookneal, VA radar 29 mi