Motley, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Motley, Pittsylvania County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Motley?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 248 days in the Pittsylvania forecast zone and Pittsylvania County — the most common reported hazard around Motley, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (46 days) and flash flooding (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 248 | Jun 2026 | May 31, 2019 · $499,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 46 | Jan 2026 | Jan 24, 2026 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 40 | Sep 2024 | Sep 6, 1996 · 1 death · $4.7 million damage |
| Flooding | 37 | Jan 2024 | Sep 3, 1996 · $4.2 million damage |
| High winds | 22 | Mar 2025 | Sep 5, 1996 · $1.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 13 | Apr 2024 | Jul 16, 1997 · $40,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Dec 2005 | Feb 2, 1996 · $100,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 3 | Oct 2020 | Sep 18, 2003 · $968,000 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 Pittsylvania forecast zone and Pittsylvania County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Motley get?
A normal year brings about 5.9 inches of snow to Motley, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Huddleston 4 Sw weather station 10.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (2.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 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 Motley?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 51 miles west. 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 Motley | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 51 mi west | 3,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 108 mi south-southeast | 10,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 129 mi east | 14,300 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 Motley
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 37 tornadoes within 25 miles of Motley, 9 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and September. The strongest was an EF3 on April 15, 2018, which passed about 19 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF2 on September 27, 2024, which passed about 19 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 213 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on June 23, 2016.
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 Motley'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.
Motley radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Motley, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 51 miles west. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 108 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Motley?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Motley the lowest scan from KFCX is about 3,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Motley 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 Motley, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hurt, VA radar 3 mi
- Altavista, VA radar 5 mi
- Gretna, VA radar 8 mi
- Chatham, VA radar 18 mi
- Bedford, VA radar 21 mi
- Brookneal, VA radar 22 mi
- Lynchburg, VA radar 25 mi
- Rocky Mount, VA radar 30 mi
- Halifax, VA radar 31 mi
- Vinton, VA radar 33 mi