Riner, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Riner, Montgomery County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Riner?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 129 days in the Montgomery forecast zone and Montgomery County — the most common reported hazard around Riner, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (59 days) and flash flooding (50 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 129 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · 1 death · $1.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 59 | Jan 2026 | Jan 6, 1996 · $600,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 50 | Jul 2025 | Sep 29, 2015 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 44 | Feb 2025 | Sep 27, 2024 · $185,000 damage |
| Flooding | 20 | Feb 2025 | Feb 22, 2003 · 1 death · $6,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 14 | Nov 2018 | Dec 15, 2007 · $12,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 9 | Sep 2023 | Aug 6, 2011 · $275,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Dec 2022 | Mar 8, 1996 · $3,000 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 Montgomery forecast zone and Montgomery County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Riner get?
A normal year brings about 22 inches of snow to Riner, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Christiansburg weather station 4.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.4 | 4.4 | 6.3 | 6.6 | 3.7 | 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 Riner?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 10 miles east-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 Riner | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 10 mi east-southeast | 500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 111 mi northwest | 11,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 146 mi southeast | 17,300 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 Riner
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 13 tornadoes within 25 miles of Riner, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and May. The strongest was an EF2 on April 8, 2011, which touched down about 19 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 26, 2024, which touched down about 25 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 240 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on April 27, 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 Riner'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.
Riner radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Riner, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 10 miles east-southeast. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 111 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Riner?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Riner the lowest scan from KFCX is about 500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Riner 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 Riner, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Christiansburg, VA radar 5 mi
- Radford, VA radar 7 mi
- Blacksburg, VA radar 11 mi
- Dublin, VA radar 14 mi
- Pulaski, VA radar 18 mi
- Pembroke, VA radar 21 mi
- Pearisburg, VA radar 24 mi
- Salem, VA radar 26 mi
- Hillsville, VA radar 27 mi
- Narrows, VA radar 27 mi