Petersburg, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Petersburg, City of Petersburg County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Petersburg?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 30 days in the Prince George forecast zone and City of Petersburg County — the most common reported hazard around Petersburg, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (28 days) and flash flooding (18 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 30 | Feb 2025 | Feb 18, 2021 · $30,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 28 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | May 2026 | Jul 15, 2025 · $4.8 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Feb 2021 | Feb 13, 2021 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 3 | Apr 2001 | May 29, 2000 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 3 | Oct 2018 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 2 | Aug 2011 | Sep 18, 2003 · 1 death · $9.7 million 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 Prince George forecast zone and City of Petersburg County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Petersburg get?
A normal year brings about 3.5 inches of snow to Petersburg, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Hopewell weather station 9.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 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 Petersburg?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 26 miles southeast. 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 Petersburg | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 26 mi southeast | 1,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 123 mi north | 13,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 123 mi south-southwest | 13,200 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 Petersburg
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 79 tornadoes within 25 miles of Petersburg, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an F4 on August 6, 1993, which touched down near town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on November 11, 2022, which touched down about 21 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 198 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 27, 2017.
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 Petersburg'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.
Petersburg radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Petersburg, VA?
KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 26 miles southeast. KLWX (Sterling, MD) is 123 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Petersburg?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Petersburg the lowest scan from KAKQ is about 1,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Petersburg 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 Petersburg, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Colonial Heights, VA radar 4 mi
- Hopewell, VA radar 8 mi
- Waverly, VA radar 20 mi
- Richmond, VA radar 23 mi
- Blackstone, VA radar 35 mi
- Emporia, VA radar 36 mi
- Williamsburg, VA radar 38 mi
- Courtland, VA radar 39 mi
- Ashland, VA radar 39 mi
- West Point, VA radar 40 mi