Richlands, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Richlands, Tazewell County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Richlands?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 88 days in the Tazewell forecast zone and Tazewell County — the most common reported hazard around Richlands, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (62 days) and flash flooding (57 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 88 | Jul 2025 | Jul 4, 1997 · $770,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 62 | Jan 2026 | Jan 27, 1998 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 57 | Jul 2025 | Jul 8, 2001 · $15 million damage |
| High winds | 54 | Feb 2025 | Sep 27, 2024 · 1 death · $19 million damage |
| Flooding | 29 | Feb 2025 | Nov 19, 2003 · $6.1 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Jan 2026 | Mar 8, 1996 · $3,000 damage |
| Debris flows | 5 | Jul 2023 | Apr 13, 2020 · $50,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Nov 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 Tazewell forecast zone and Tazewell County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Richlands get?
A normal year brings about 18 inches of snow to Richlands, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Richlands weather station 1 mile away. The snowiest month is usually January (6.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.3 | 3.4 | 6.3 | 4.4 | 2.9 | 0.3 | 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 Richlands?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 85 miles north. 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 Richlands | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 85 mi north | 7,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 85 mi east | 7,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 90 mi west-northwest | 8,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Richlands
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 9 tornadoes within 25 miles of Richlands, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and July. The strongest was an EF3 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 19 miles south-southeast of town and caused 3 deaths.
Hail: 110 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 9, 2011.
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 Richlands'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.
Richlands radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Richlands, VA?
KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 85 miles north. KFCX (Blacksburg, VA) is 85 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Richlands?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Richlands the lowest scan from KRLX is about 7,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Richlands 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 Richlands, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Cedar Bluff, VA radar 3 mi
- Honaker, VA radar 10 mi
- Saltville, VA radar 15 mi
- Tazewell, VA radar 17 mi
- Lebanon, VA radar 20 mi
- Glade Spring, VA radar 21 mi
- Chilhowie, VA radar 21 mi
- Marion, VA radar 24 mi
- Abingdon, VA radar 28 mi
- Bluefield, VA radar 31 mi