Manassas, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Manassas, City of Manassas County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Manassas?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 31 days in the Central and Southeast Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park forecast zone and City of Manassas County — the most common reported hazard around Manassas, mostly in May and July. Next come flash flooding (9 days) and excessive heat (7 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 31 | Jul 2025 | Aug 3, 2002 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Aug 2020 | — |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Jun 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 7 | Sep 2021 | May 12, 2008 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 3 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Jun 2020 | — |
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 Central and Southeast Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park forecast zone and City of Manassas County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Manassas get?
A normal year brings about 21 inches of snow to Manassas, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Washington Dc Dulles Ap weather station 13.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.3 | 2.8 | 6.9 | 7.0 | 3.9 | 0.1 | 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 Manassas?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 16 miles north. 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 Manassas | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 16 mi north | 900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 110 mi east | 11,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 125 mi south-southeast | 13,500 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 Manassas
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 88 tornadoes within 25 miles of Manassas, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 28, 2002, which passed about 21 miles southeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 8, 2024, which passed about 19 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 387 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 22 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on July 2, 1968.
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 Manassas'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.
Manassas radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Manassas, VA?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 16 miles north. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 110 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Manassas?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Manassas the lowest scan from KLWX is about 900 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Manassas 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 Manassas, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Manassas Park, VA radar 3 mi
- Haymarket, VA radar 9 mi
- Fairfax, VA radar 12 mi
- Occoquan, VA radar 13 mi
- Dumfries, VA radar 15 mi
- Vienna, VA radar 16 mi
- Herndon, VA radar 16 mi
- Warrenton, VA radar 17 mi
- Falls Church, VA radar 19 mi
- Alexandria, VA radar 22 mi