Penhook, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Penhook, Franklin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Penhook?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 207 days in the Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County — the most common reported hazard around Penhook, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (49 days) and flash flooding (46 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 207 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · 1 death · $750,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Jan 2026 | Feb 12, 2014 · $113,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 46 | Jun 2025 | Sep 6, 1996 · $600,000 damage |
| High winds | 44 | Feb 2025 | Apr 16, 2007 · $120,000 damage |
| Flooding | 27 | Aug 2024 | May 21, 2020 · $2.1 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 18 | Jul 2025 | Jun 25, 1997 · $250,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Dec 2013 | Dec 15, 2005 · $8,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Dec 2022 | Mar 8, 1996 · $12,000 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 Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Penhook get?
A normal year brings about 5.9 inches of snow to Penhook, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Huddleston 4 Sw weather station 11.1 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 Penhook?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 35 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 Penhook | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 35 mi west | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 112 mi southeast | 11,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 145 mi east | 17,200 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 Penhook
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 42 tornadoes within 25 miles of Penhook, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an EF3 on April 19, 2019, which passed about 11 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF2 on September 27, 2024, which passed about 14 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 283 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 June 4, 1993.
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 Penhook'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.
Penhook radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Penhook, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 35 miles west. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 112 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Penhook?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Penhook the lowest scan from KFCX is about 2,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Penhook 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 Penhook, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Rocky Mount, VA radar 14 mi
- Gretna, VA radar 15 mi
- Chatham, VA radar 18 mi
- Hurt, VA radar 20 mi
- Altavista, VA radar 22 mi
- Vinton, VA radar 24 mi
- Martinsville, VA radar 25 mi
- Bedford, VA radar 25 mi
- Roanoke, VA radar 27 mi
- Salem, VA radar 31 mi