Iron Gate, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Iron Gate, Alleghany County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Iron Gate?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 66 days in the Alleghany forecast zone and Alleghany County — the most common reported hazard around Iron Gate, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (54 days) and high winds (41 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 66 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 54 | Jan 2026 | Feb 5, 2010 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 41 | Apr 2025 | Oct 20, 1997 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 19 | Jul 2025 | Jun 23, 2016 · $6.1 million damage |
| Flooding | 16 | Feb 2025 | Jun 25, 2006 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 13 | Nov 2018 | Dec 15, 2007 · $10,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Jan 2014 | Mar 8, 1996 · $2,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jul 2023 | Jul 3, 2002 · $125,000 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 Alleghany forecast zone and Alleghany County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Iron Gate get?
A normal year brings about 10 inches of snow to Iron Gate, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Covington Fltr Plt weather station 10.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (3.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 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 Iron Gate?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 60 miles south-southwest. 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 Iron Gate | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 60 mi south-southwest | 4,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 111 mi west-northwest | 11,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 149 mi northeast | 18,000 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 Iron Gate
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 4 tornadoes within 25 miles of Iron Gate. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an EF1 on April 15, 2018, which touched down about 23 miles southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on August 1, 2020, which touched down about 23 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 97 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on April 28, 1959.
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 Iron Gate'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.
Iron Gate radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Iron Gate, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 60 miles south-southwest. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 111 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Iron Gate?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Iron Gate the lowest scan from KFCX is about 4,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Iron Gate 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 Iron Gate, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Clifton Forge, VA radar 3 mi
- Covington, VA radar 11 mi
- Lexington, VA radar 19 mi
- Buchanan, VA radar 20 mi
- Glasgow, VA radar 22 mi
- Buena Vista, VA radar 24 mi
- Bedford, VA radar 35 mi
- Vinton, VA radar 37 mi
- Roanoke, VA radar 37 mi
- Salem, VA radar 38 mi