Roanoke, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Roanoke, City of Roanoke County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Roanoke?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 67 days in the Roanoke forecast zone and City of Roanoke County — the most common reported hazard around Roanoke, mostly in February and January. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (56 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (37 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 67 | Dec 2025 | Apr 1, 2023 · $60,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 56 | Jan 2026 | Feb 12, 2014 · $550,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 37 | Jun 2026 | May 13, 2002 · 1 death · $500 damage |
| Flooding | 27 | Feb 2025 | Sep 17, 2018 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 26 | Jul 2023 | Jul 23, 2009 · $750,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Nov 2018 | Dec 15, 2007 · $20,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Jun 2022 | Jul 12, 2016 · $400,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Dec 2022 | Mar 8, 1996 · $10,000 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 Roanoke forecast zone and City of Roanoke County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Roanoke get?
A normal year brings about 15 inches of snow to Roanoke, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Roanoke Rgnl Ap weather station 2.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (4.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 3.2 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 2.3 | 0.1 | 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 Roanoke?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 25 miles southwest. 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 Roanoke | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 25 mi southwest | 1,400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 120 mi northwest | 12,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 138 mi southeast | 15,900 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 Roanoke
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 21 tornadoes within 25 miles of Roanoke, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF3 on April 19, 2019, which passed about 23 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on September 27, 2024, which touched down about 21 miles east of town.
Hail: 294 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 8 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 4, 1993.
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 Roanoke'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.
Roanoke radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Roanoke, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 25 miles southwest. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 120 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Roanoke?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Roanoke the lowest scan from KFCX is about 1,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Roanoke 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 Roanoke, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Vinton, VA radar 4 mi
- Salem, VA radar 5 mi
- Rocky Mount, VA radar 19 mi
- Buchanan, VA radar 22 mi
- Bedford, VA radar 25 mi
- Blacksburg, VA radar 26 mi
- Christiansburg, VA radar 26 mi
- Covington, VA radar 35 mi
- Radford, VA radar 35 mi
- Glasgow, VA radar 37 mi