Galax, VA Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Galax, City of Galax County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for GalaxWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Galax?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 79 days in the Carroll forecast zone and City of Galax County — the most common reported hazard around Galax, mostly in February and January. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (61 days) and ice storms & sleet (16 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
High winds79Dec 2025Sep 27, 2024 · $2.4 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms61Jan 2026Dec 18, 2009 · 1 death · $15,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet16Nov 2018Dec 15, 2007 · $20,000 damage
Damaging thunderstorm winds15Jun 2026Apr 19, 2019 · $15,000 damage
Flash flooding14Aug 2025Sep 8, 2018 · $2.0 million damage
Flooding13Sep 2024—
Extreme cold & wind chill5Dec 2022Mar 8, 1996 · $4,000 damage
Wildfires1Mar 2006—

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 Carroll forecast zone and City of Galax County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Galax get?

A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Galax, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Galax Radio Wbrf weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (5.8 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.00.41.94.65.83.40.50.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Galax?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 43 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over GalaxView
KFCX
Blacksburg, VA		43 mi northeast2,900 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KRLX
Charleston, WV		122 mi north-northwest13,100 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KMRX
Knoxville, TN		143 mi west-southwest16,700 ftLimited — 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 Galax

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 23 tornadoes within 25 miles of Galax, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an EF2 on May 8, 2009, which passed about 9 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 5, 2022, which touched down about 6 miles southwest of town.

Hail: 238 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 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 Galax'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.

Galax radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Galax, VA?

KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 43 miles northeast. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 122 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Galax?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Galax the lowest scan from KFCX is about 2,900 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Galax 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 Galax, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

Radar for nearby towns

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