Hillsville, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hillsville, Carroll County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hillsville?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 100 days in the Carroll forecast zone and Carroll County — the most common reported hazard around Hillsville, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (79 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (61 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 100 | Jun 2026 | Apr 12, 2013 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 79 | Dec 2025 | Sep 27, 2024 · $2.4 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 61 | Jan 2026 | Dec 18, 2009 · 1 death · $15,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 45 | Jul 2025 | Jan 8, 1998 · $500,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 16 | Nov 2018 | Dec 15, 2007 · $20,000 damage |
| Flooding | 13 | Jan 2024 | Jan 30, 2013 · $1.5 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 9 | Jul 2025 | Jul 9, 2003 · $150,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Dec 2022 | Mar 8, 1996 · $4,000 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 Carroll forecast zone and Carroll County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Hillsville get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Hillsville, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Galax Radio Wbrf weather station 11.9 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 Hillsville?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 31 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 Hillsville | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 31 mi northeast | 1,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 120 mi north-northwest | 12,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 146 mi east-southeast | 17,500 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 Hillsville
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 22 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hillsville, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an EF2 on April 8, 2011, which touched down about 19 miles north of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 5, 2022, which touched down about 18 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 262 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 Hillsville'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.
Hillsville radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hillsville, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 31 miles northeast. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 120 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hillsville?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hillsville the lowest scan from KFCX is about 1,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Hillsville 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 Hillsville, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Galax, VA radar 12 mi
- Pulaski, VA radar 20 mi
- Wytheville, VA radar 24 mi
- Dublin, VA radar 24 mi
- Radford, VA radar 27 mi
- Stuart, VA radar 27 mi
- Rural Retreat, VA radar 31 mi
- Christiansburg, VA radar 32 mi
- Blacksburg, VA radar 37 mi
- Pembroke, VA radar 39 mi