Norfolk, VA Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Norfolk, City of Norfolk County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for Norfolk What TALON shows

What weather hits Norfolk?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 65 days in the Norfolk forecast zone and City of Norfolk County — the most common reported hazard around Norfolk, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (56 days) and flooding (11 days).

Hazard	Days reported	Most recent	Worst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds	65	Jun 2026	May 24, 2011 · 1 death · $2,000 damage
Flash flooding	56	Jun 2026	—
Flooding	11	Nov 2020	Oct 8, 2016 · $19 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage	5	Feb 2012	Aug 11, 2001 · 1 death

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 Norfolk forecast zone and City of Norfolk County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Norfolk get?

A normal year brings about 3.0 inches of snow to Norfolk, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Norfolk Nas weather station 2.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.3 in).

Oct	Nov	Dec	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May
0.0	0.0	0.0	2.3	0.7	0.0	0.0	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 Norfolk?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 42 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 Norfolk	View
KAKQ Wakefield, VA	42 mi west	2,800 ft	Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KDOX Dover AFB, DE	139 mi north-northeast	16,000 ft	Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC	152 mi southwest	18,600 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 Norfolk

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 85 tornadoes within 25 miles of Norfolk, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and April. The strongest was an EF3 on April 28, 2008, which passed about 3 miles west-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 16, 2023, which passed about 16 miles west of town.

Hail: 216 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 9, 2009.

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 Norfolk'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.

Norfolk radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Norfolk, VA?

KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 42 miles west. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 139 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Norfolk?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Norfolk the lowest scan from KAKQ is about 2,800 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

Is TALON's radar for Norfolk 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 Norfolk, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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