Rural Retreat, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rural Retreat, Wythe County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rural Retreat?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 66 days in the Wythe forecast zone and Wythe County — the most common reported hazard around Rural Retreat, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (49 days) and flash flooding (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 66 | Aug 2024 | Jul 4, 1997 · $300,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Jan 2026 | Feb 4, 2010 · 2 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 34 | Sep 2024 | Apr 13, 2020 · $161,000 damage |
| High winds | 32 | Sep 2024 | Sep 27, 2024 · $27 million damage |
| Flooding | 19 | Feb 2025 | Apr 19, 2015 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Nov 2018 | Dec 15, 2005 · $8,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Aug 2018 | Sep 3, 2011 · $50,000 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 Wythe forecast zone and Wythe County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rural Retreat get?
A normal year brings about 18 inches of snow to Rural Retreat, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wytheville weather station 11.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.4 | 3.8 | 5.9 | 4.9 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 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 Rural Retreat?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 56 miles east. 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 Rural Retreat | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 56 mi east | 4,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 100 mi north-northwest | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 122 mi west-northwest | 13,000 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 Rural Retreat
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 8 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rural Retreat, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and April. The strongest was an EF3 on April 27, 2011, which passed about 23 miles west-southwest of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on October 23, 2017, which touched down about 20 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 146 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on May 26, 2024.
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 Rural Retreat'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.
Rural Retreat radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rural Retreat, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 56 miles east. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 100 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rural Retreat?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rural Retreat the lowest scan from KFCX is about 4,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rural Retreat 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 Rural Retreat, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Wytheville, VA radar 11 mi
- Marion, VA radar 14 mi
- Tazewell, VA radar 20 mi
- Bluefield, VA radar 23 mi
- Chilhowie, VA radar 24 mi
- Galax, VA radar 26 mi
- Saltville, VA radar 27 mi
- Glade Spring, VA radar 29 mi
- Cedar Bluff, VA radar 30 mi
- Pulaski, VA radar 30 mi