Potomac Mills, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Potomac Mills, Prince William County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Potomac Mills?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 170 days in the Central and Southeast Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park forecast zone and Prince William County — the most common reported hazard around Potomac Mills, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (69 days) and flash flooding (44 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 170 | Jun 2026 | Jul 29, 2023 · 1 death · $250,000 damage |
| Flooding | 69 | Jun 2025 | Jun 9, 2018 · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 44 | Jul 2025 | Sep 6, 1996 · $220,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | Jun 2019 | May 22, 2001 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Jun 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 3 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Storm surge | 1 | Sep 1996 | Sep 6, 1996 · $500,000 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 Central and Southeast Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park forecast zone and Prince William County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Potomac Mills get?
A normal year brings about 13 inches of snow to Potomac Mills, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Franconia 1.3 Sse weather station 10.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 2.2 | 4.8 | 3.5 | 2.8 | 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 Potomac Mills?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 24 miles north-northwest. 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 Potomac Mills | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 24 mi north-northwest | 1,400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 101 mi east | 9,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 117 mi south | 12,200 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 Potomac Mills
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 101 tornadoes within 25 miles of Potomac Mills, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 28, 2002, which passed about 10 miles southeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 8, 2024, which passed about 20 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 398 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 24 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on July 2, 1968.
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 Potomac Mills'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.
Potomac Mills radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Potomac Mills, VA?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 24 miles north-northwest. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 101 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Potomac Mills?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Potomac Mills the lowest scan from KLWX is about 1,400 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Potomac Mills 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 Potomac Mills, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Alexandria, VA radar 16 mi
- Vienna, VA radar 17 mi
- Falls Church, VA radar 17 mi
- Haymarket, VA radar 21 mi
- Herndon, VA radar 22 mi