Gainesville, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Gainesville, Prince William County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Gainesville?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 170 days in the Northwest Prince William forecast zone and Prince William County — the most common reported hazard around Gainesville, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (69 days) and flash flooding (44 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 170 | Jun 2026 | Jul 29, 2023 · 1 death · $250,000 damage |
| Flooding | 69 | Jun 2025 | Jun 9, 2018 · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 44 | Jul 2025 | Sep 6, 1996 · $220,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | Jun 2019 | May 22, 2001 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 4 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Feb 2026 | — |
| High winds | 1 | Apr 2023 | — |
| Storm surge | 1 | Sep 1996 | Sep 6, 1996 · $500,000 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 Northwest Prince William forecast zone and Prince William County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Gainesville get?
A normal year brings about 20 inches of snow to Gainesville, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the The Plains 2 Nne weather station 9.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 8.4 | 4.4 | 3.3 | 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 Gainesville?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 15 miles north-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 Gainesville | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 15 mi north-northeast | 800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 119 mi east | 12,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 130 mi south-southeast | 14,400 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 Gainesville
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 85 tornadoes within 25 miles of Gainesville, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and April. The strongest was an F4 on September 24, 2001, which passed about 11 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on August 8, 2024, which passed about 21 miles south of town.
Hail: 365 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 22 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on July 2, 1968.
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 Gainesville'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.
Gainesville radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Gainesville, VA?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 15 miles north-northeast. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 119 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Gainesville?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Gainesville the lowest scan from KLWX is about 800 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Gainesville 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 Gainesville, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Manassas, VA radar 9 mi
- Warrenton, VA radar 10 mi
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- Herndon, VA radar 18 mi
- Fairfax, VA radar 19 mi
- Occoquan, VA radar 22 mi
- Vienna, VA radar 22 mi
- Leesburg, VA radar 22 mi
- Dumfries, VA radar 23 mi