New Castle, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for New Castle, Craig County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits New Castle?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 52 days in the Craig forecast zone and Craig County — the most common reported hazard around New Castle, mostly in February and January. Next come high winds (38 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (33 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 52 | Jan 2026 | Feb 11, 2025 · $45,000 damage |
| High winds | 38 | Dec 2025 | Sep 27, 2024 · 1 death · $215,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 33 | Aug 2024 | Jun 29, 2012 · $778,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Nov 2018 | Dec 15, 2007 · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Jun 2025 | Jan 19, 1996 · $150,000 damage |
| Flooding | 8 | Jun 2020 | May 20, 2020 · $50,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Dec 2022 | Mar 8, 1996 · $3,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 1 | Sep 2003 | — |
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 Craig forecast zone and Craig County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does New Castle get?
A normal year brings about 11 inches of snow to New Castle, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Roanoke 8 N weather station 12.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (4.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.7 | 2.8 | 4.8 | 1.0 | 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 New Castle?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 34 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 New Castle | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 34 mi south-southwest | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 104 mi west-northwest | 10,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 156 mi southeast | 19,300 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 New Castle
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 12 tornadoes within 25 miles of New Castle, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F2 on April 4, 1974, which passed about 15 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 26, 2024, which touched down about 16 miles south of town.
Hail: 207 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 22, 2004.
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 New Castle'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.
New Castle radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to New Castle, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 34 miles south-southwest. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in New Castle?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over New Castle the lowest scan from KFCX is about 2,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for New Castle 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 New Castle, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Salem, VA radar 15 mi
- Roanoke, VA radar 18 mi
- Vinton, VA radar 20 mi
- Covington, VA radar 21 mi
- Buchanan, VA radar 23 mi
- Blacksburg, VA radar 25 mi
- Clifton Forge, VA radar 27 mi
- Christiansburg, VA radar 30 mi
- Pembroke, VA radar 31 mi
- Bedford, VA radar 35 mi