Ripplemead, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ripplemead, Giles County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ripplemead?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 89 days in the Giles forecast zone and Giles County — the most common reported hazard around Ripplemead, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (49 days) and high winds (41 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 89 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · $400,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Jan 2026 | Jan 16, 2022 · $2,000 damage |
| High winds | 41 | Dec 2025 | Sep 27, 2024 · $8.8 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 35 | Feb 2025 | Mar 13, 2010 · $2.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 22 | Jul 2025 | Nov 20, 2003 · $1.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 13 | Nov 2018 | Dec 15, 2007 · $5,000 damage |
| Debris flows | 4 | Jul 2025 | Jul 30, 2025 · $10,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jul 2022 | Jun 10, 2014 · $20,000 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 Giles forecast zone and Giles County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ripplemead get?
A normal year brings about 23 inches of snow to Ripplemead, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Pearisburg 4 Sse weather station 4.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.3 | 4.6 | 6.5 | 6.6 | 4.0 | 0.7 | 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 Ripplemead?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 32 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 Ripplemead | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 32 mi southeast | 2,000 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 88 mi northwest | 7,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 145 mi west | 17,100 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 Ripplemead
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 14 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ripplemead, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and October. The strongest was an EF2 on April 8, 2011, which touched down about 21 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on August 31, 2021, which touched down about 19 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 215 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on April 8, 2019.
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 Ripplemead'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.
Ripplemead radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ripplemead, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 32 miles southeast. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 88 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ripplemead?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ripplemead the lowest scan from KFCX is about 2,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ripplemead 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 Ripplemead, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Pearisburg, VA radar 2 mi
- Pembroke, VA radar 3 mi
- Narrows, VA radar 6 mi
- Dublin, VA radar 16 mi
- Blacksburg, VA radar 16 mi
- Radford, VA radar 17 mi
- Pulaski, VA radar 20 mi
- Christiansburg, VA radar 21 mi
- Bluefield, VA radar 33 mi
- Wytheville, VA radar 34 mi