Fries, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fries, Grayson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fries?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 90 days in the Grayson forecast zone and Grayson County — the most common reported hazard around Fries, mostly in February and December. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (79 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (58 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 90 | Dec 2025 | Sep 27, 2024 · 1 death · $76 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 79 | Jan 2026 | Feb 1, 2021 · $10,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 58 | Jun 2025 | Sep 2, 2011 · $55,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 27 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · 1 death · $61 million damage |
| Flooding | 13 | Sep 2024 | Sep 26, 2024 · $2.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Nov 2018 | Dec 15, 2007 · $15,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Jan 2026 | Mar 8, 1996 · $3,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Sep 2011 | May 10, 2005 · $1,000 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 Grayson forecast zone and Grayson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Fries get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Fries, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Galax Radio Wbrf weather station 4.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (5.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 4.6 | 5.8 | 3.4 | 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 Fries?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 44 miles east-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 Fries | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 44 mi east-northeast | 3,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 118 mi north-northwest | 12,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMRX Knoxville, TN | 140 mi west-southwest | 16,300 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 Fries
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 18 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fries, 4 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 25 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 5, 2022, which touched down about 7 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 206 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 16 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 5, 1985.
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 Fries'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.
Fries radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fries, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 44 miles east-northeast. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 118 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fries?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fries the lowest scan from KFCX is about 3,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Fries 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 Fries, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Galax, VA radar 5 mi
- Hillsville, VA radar 14 mi
- Wytheville, VA radar 18 mi
- Rural Retreat, VA radar 21 mi
- Pulaski, VA radar 26 mi
- Marion, VA radar 31 mi
- Dublin, VA radar 31 mi
- Radford, VA radar 36 mi
- Stuart, VA radar 39 mi
- Bluefield, VA radar 40 mi