Gretna, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Gretna, Pittsylvania County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Gretna?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 248 days in the Pittsylvania forecast zone and Pittsylvania County — the most common reported hazard around Gretna, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (46 days) and flash flooding (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 248 | Jun 2026 | May 31, 2019 · $499,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 46 | Jan 2026 | Jan 24, 2026 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 40 | Sep 2024 | Sep 6, 1996 · 1 death · $4.7 million damage |
| Flooding | 37 | Jan 2024 | Sep 3, 1996 · $4.2 million damage |
| High winds | 22 | Mar 2025 | Sep 5, 1996 · $1.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 13 | Apr 2024 | Jul 16, 1997 · $40,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Dec 2005 | Feb 2, 1996 · $100,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 3 | Oct 2020 | Sep 18, 2003 · $968,000 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 Pittsylvania forecast zone and Pittsylvania County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Gretna get?
A normal year brings about 5.8 inches of snow to Gretna, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Chatham weather station 9.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 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 Gretna?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 51 miles west. 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 Gretna | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 51 mi west | 3,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 101 mi south-southeast | 9,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 130 mi east | 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 Gretna
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 30 tornadoes within 25 miles of Gretna, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and July. The strongest was an EF2 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 19 miles southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF2 on September 27, 2024, which passed about 12 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 204 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 5 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 2, 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 Gretna'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.
Gretna radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Gretna, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 51 miles west. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 101 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Gretna?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Gretna the lowest scan from KFCX is about 3,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Gretna 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 Gretna, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Chatham, VA radar 10 mi
- Hurt, VA radar 11 mi
- Altavista, VA radar 13 mi
- Brookneal, VA radar 24 mi
- Danville, VA radar 25 mi
- Halifax, VA radar 27 mi
- Bedford, VA radar 28 mi
- Rocky Mount, VA radar 29 mi
- South Boston, VA radar 30 mi
- Lynchburg, VA radar 32 mi