Franklin, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Franklin, City of Franklin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Franklin?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 35 days in the Southampton forecast zone and City of Franklin County — the most common reported hazard around Franklin, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (22 days) and excessive heat (5 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 35 | Feb 2026 | Feb 19, 2025 · $1,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 22 | Jul 2024 | Aug 20, 2019 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 5 | Nov 2020 | Oct 8, 2016 · $450,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Oct 2016 | Oct 7, 2006 · $4.7 million damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 4 | Sep 2023 | Aug 27, 2011 · $7.1 million damage |
| High winds | 2 | Apr 2000 | Sep 16, 1999 · $5,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 1 | Dec 1998 | — |
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 Southampton forecast zone and City of Franklin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Franklin get?
A normal year brings about 4.1 inches of snow to Franklin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Holland 1 E weather station 9.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 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 Franklin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 21 miles north. 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 Franklin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 21 mi north | 1,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 111 mi southwest | 11,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 132 mi south | 14,800 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 Franklin
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 69 tornadoes within 25 miles of Franklin, 9 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and August. The strongest was an EF3 on April 28, 2008, which passed about 14 miles east of town. The most recent was an EF0 on January 4, 2023, which touched down about 20 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 119 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on May 9, 2003.
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 Franklin'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.
Franklin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Franklin, VA?
KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 21 miles north. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 111 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Franklin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Franklin the lowest scan from KAKQ is about 1,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Franklin 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 Franklin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Courtland, VA radar 7 mi
- Windsor, VA radar 14 mi
- Suffolk, VA radar 17 mi
- Waverly, VA radar 26 mi
- Smithfield, VA radar 27 mi
- Emporia, VA radar 33 mi
- Portsmouth, VA radar 35 mi
- Chesapeake, VA radar 35 mi
- Newport News, VA radar 36 mi
- Norfolk, VA radar 42 mi