Lafayette, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lafayette, Montgomery County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lafayette?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 129 days in the Montgomery forecast zone and Montgomery County — the most common reported hazard around Lafayette, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (59 days) and flash flooding (50 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 129 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · 1 death · $1.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 59 | Jan 2026 | Jan 6, 1996 · $600,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 50 | Jul 2025 | Sep 29, 2015 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 44 | Feb 2025 | Sep 27, 2024 · $185,000 damage |
| Flooding | 20 | Feb 2025 | Feb 22, 2003 · 1 death · $6,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 14 | Nov 2018 | Dec 15, 2007 · $12,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 9 | Sep 2023 | Aug 6, 2011 · $275,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Dec 2022 | Mar 8, 1996 · $3,000 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 Montgomery forecast zone and Montgomery County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lafayette get?
A normal year brings about 18 inches of snow to Lafayette, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lafayette 1 Ne weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (6.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.3 | 3.9 | 5.4 | 6.0 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 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 Lafayette?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 15 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 Lafayette | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 15 mi south-southwest | 800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 111 mi northwest | 11,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 144 mi southeast | 17,100 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 Lafayette
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 17 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lafayette, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and June. The strongest was an F2 on April 4, 1974, which passed about 11 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 26, 2024, which touched down about 8 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 306 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 4, 1993.
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 Lafayette'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.
Lafayette radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lafayette, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 15 miles south-southwest. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 111 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lafayette?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lafayette the lowest scan from KFCX is about 800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lafayette 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 Lafayette, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Salem, VA radar 9 mi
- Blacksburg, VA radar 12 mi
- Christiansburg, VA radar 13 mi
- Roanoke, VA radar 14 mi
- Vinton, VA radar 18 mi
- Radford, VA radar 21 mi
- Rocky Mount, VA radar 24 mi
- Pembroke, VA radar 25 mi
- Dublin, VA radar 28 mi
- Pearisburg, VA radar 29 mi