Fort Chiswell, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fort Chiswell, Wythe County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fort Chiswell?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 66 days in the Wythe forecast zone and Wythe County — the most common reported hazard around Fort Chiswell, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (49 days) and flash flooding (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 66 | Aug 2024 | Jul 4, 1997 · $300,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Jan 2026 | Feb 4, 2010 · 2 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 34 | Sep 2024 | Apr 13, 2020 · $161,000 damage |
| High winds | 32 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $27 million damage |
| Flooding | 19 | Feb 2025 | Apr 19, 2015 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Nov 2018 | Dec 15, 2005 · $8,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Aug 2018 | Sep 3, 2011 · $50,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Dec 2022 | Mar 8, 1996 · $3,000 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 Wythe forecast zone and Wythe County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Fort Chiswell get?
A normal year brings about 18 inches of snow to Fort Chiswell, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wytheville weather station 7.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.4 | 3.8 | 5.9 | 4.9 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 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 Fort Chiswell?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 38 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 Fort Chiswell | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 38 mi east | 2,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 103 mi north-northwest | 10,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 137 mi west-northwest | 15,700 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 Fort Chiswell
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 10 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fort Chiswell, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an EF2 on April 8, 2011, which touched down about 11 miles northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 5, 2022, which touched down about 23 miles south of town.
Hail: 193 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on April 15, 2018.
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 Fort Chiswell'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.
Fort Chiswell radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fort Chiswell, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 38 miles east. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fort Chiswell?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fort Chiswell the lowest scan from KFCX is about 2,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Fort Chiswell 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 Fort Chiswell, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Wytheville, VA radar 7 mi
- Pulaski, VA radar 13 mi
- Hillsville, VA radar 18 mi
- Rural Retreat, VA radar 18 mi
- Dublin, VA radar 18 mi
- Galax, VA radar 19 mi
- Radford, VA radar 25 mi
- Bluefield, VA radar 27 mi
- Narrows, VA radar 28 mi
- Pearisburg, VA radar 29 mi