Mathews, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Mathews, Mathews County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Mathews?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 36 days in the Mathews forecast zone and Mathews County — the most common reported hazard around Mathews, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (29 days) and coastal flooding (13 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 36 | Jun 2025 | Mar 5, 2025 · $20,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 29 | Feb 2025 | Jan 10, 2025 · $1,000 damage |
| Coastal flooding | 13 | Oct 2025 | Sep 1, 2006 · $5.6 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Jul 2022 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 8 | Jul 2021 | Sep 18, 2003 · $22 million damage |
| High winds | 5 | Feb 2026 | Sep 1, 2006 · $3.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Jun 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 4 | Oct 2018 | Aug 3, 1996 · $2,000 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 Mathews forecast zone and Mathews County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Mathews get?
A normal year brings about 8.5 inches of snow to Mathews, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the N weather station 6.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.4 | 4.2 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 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 Mathews?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 49 miles 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 Mathews | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 49 mi southwest | 3,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 107 mi north-northeast | 10,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 123 mi north-northwest | 13,300 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 Mathews
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 59 tornadoes within 25 miles of Mathews, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and July. The strongest was an EF3 on April 16, 2011, which passed about 5 miles west-northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on November 9, 2025, which touched down about 7 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 73 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 9, 1980.
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 Mathews'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.
Mathews radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Mathews, VA?
KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 49 miles southwest. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 107 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Mathews?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Mathews the lowest scan from KAKQ is about 3,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Mathews 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 Mathews, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Kilmarnock, VA radar 19 mi
- Poquoson, VA radar 22 mi
- Cape Charles, VA radar 22 mi
- Williamsburg, VA radar 24 mi
- West Point, VA radar 27 mi
- Hampton, VA radar 27 mi
- Newport News, VA radar 28 mi
- Exmore, VA radar 28 mi
- Smithfield, VA radar 36 mi
- Norfolk, VA radar 36 mi