Free Union, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Free Union, Albemarle County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Free Union?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 220 days in the Albemarle forecast zone and Albemarle County — the most common reported hazard around Free Union, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (61 days) and flooding (57 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 220 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 61 | Jul 2025 | May 30, 2018 · 2 deaths · $20,000 damage |
| Flooding | 57 | Sep 2024 | Sep 29, 2024 · $20,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 47 | Jan 2026 | Feb 5, 2010 · $5,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 42 | Aug 2021 | — |
| High winds | 14 | Mar 2018 | Sep 18, 2003 · $2.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Feb 2026 | Mar 11, 1998 · $5,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 9 | Aug 2021 | Jun 16, 2008 · $10,000 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 Albemarle forecast zone and Albemarle County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Free Union get?
A normal year brings about 11 inches of snow to Free Union, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Free Union weather station 4.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 2.2 | 4.1 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 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 Free Union?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 81 miles northeast. 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 Free Union | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 81 mi northeast | 7,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 117 mi southeast | 12,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 122 mi southwest | 13,100 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 Free Union
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 46 tornadoes within 25 miles of Free Union, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and May. The strongest was an F3 on September 30, 1959, which touched down about 8 miles south-southwest of town and caused 11 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 26, 2022, which passed about 20 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 181 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 4, 2002.
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 Free Union'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.
Free Union radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Free Union, VA?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 81 miles northeast. KAKQ (Wakefield, VA) is 117 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Free Union?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Free Union the lowest scan from KLWX is about 7,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Free Union 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 Free Union, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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