Honaker, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Honaker, Russell County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Honaker?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 105 days in the Russell forecast zone and Russell County — the most common reported hazard around Honaker, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (62 days) and flash flooding (17 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 105 | May 2025 | Aug 9, 2000 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 62 | Mar 2026 | Dec 18, 2009 · $435,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 17 | Jul 2025 | Jun 8, 2004 · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 14 | Feb 2025 | Feb 6, 2020 · $691,000 damage |
| High winds | 12 | Sep 2024 | Feb 26, 2013 · $20,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Mar 2014 | Dec 16, 2010 · $20,000 damage |
| Debris flows | 1 | Jun 2025 | — |
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 Russell forecast zone and Russell County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Honaker get?
A normal year brings about 12 inches of snow to Honaker, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lebanon weather station 8.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 4.4 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 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 Honaker?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KJKL (Jackson, KY), about 84 miles west-northwest. 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 Honaker | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 84 mi west-northwest | 7,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 91 mi north | 8,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 94 mi east | 8,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Honaker
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 13 tornadoes within 25 miles of Honaker, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF3 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 20 miles southeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 24, 2011, which passed about 17 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 95 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 9, 2011.
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 Honaker'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.
Honaker radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Honaker, VA?
KJKL (Jackson, KY), about 84 miles west-northwest. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 91 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Honaker?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Honaker the lowest scan from KJKL is about 7,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Honaker 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 Honaker, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Richlands, VA radar 10 mi
- Lebanon, VA radar 10 mi
- Cedar Bluff, VA radar 12 mi
- Saltville, VA radar 15 mi
- Glade Spring, VA radar 19 mi
- Abingdon, VA radar 21 mi
- Chilhowie, VA radar 22 mi
- Tazewell, VA radar 27 mi
- Marion, VA radar 28 mi
- Coeburn, VA radar 28 mi