Opal, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Opal, Fauquier County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Opal?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 227 days in the Southern Fauquier forecast zone and Fauquier County — the most common reported hazard around Opal, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (42 days) and flooding (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 227 | Jun 2026 | Jun 22, 2022 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 42 | Jul 2025 | Jan 19, 1996 · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 42 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Excessive heat | 30 | Aug 2021 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 22 | Jan 2026 | Feb 5, 2010 · $5,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Aug 2004 | Aug 30, 2001 · 2 deaths · $1,000 damage |
| High winds | 2 | Mar 2018 | — |
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 Southern Fauquier forecast zone and Fauquier County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Opal?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 30 miles northeast. 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 Opal | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 30 mi northeast | 1,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 121 mi south-southeast | 12,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 129 mi east | 14,200 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 Opal
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 64 tornadoes within 25 miles of Opal, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and June. The strongest was an F4 on September 24, 2001, which passed about 5 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on August 8, 2024, which passed about 15 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 224 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 4, 1996.
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 Opal'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.
Opal radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Opal, VA?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 30 miles northeast. KAKQ (Wakefield, VA) is 121 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Opal?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Opal the lowest scan from KLWX is about 1,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Opal 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 Opal, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Warrenton, VA radar 7 mi
- Culpeper, VA radar 14 mi
- Haymarket, VA radar 16 mi
- Manassas, VA radar 20 mi
- Manassas Park, VA radar 22 mi
- Dumfries, VA radar 27 mi
- Fredericksburg, VA radar 28 mi
- Front Royal, VA radar 29 mi
- Occoquan, VA radar 30 mi
- Orange, VA radar 30 mi