Saluda, VA Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Saluda, Middlesex County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

What weather hits Saluda?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 49 days in the Middlesex forecast zone and Middlesex County — the most common reported hazard around Saluda, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (30 days) and coastal flooding (11 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds49Jul 2025May 22, 2014 · $200,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms30Feb 2025Jan 6, 1996 · $25,000 damage
Coastal flooding11Oct 2025Sep 1, 2006 · $9.0 million damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms8Sep 2023Sep 18, 2003 · $16 million damage
Flooding6Oct 2018—
Excessive heat5Jul 2025—
High winds4Oct 2018Sep 1, 2006 · $5.0 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage3May 2010Jul 18, 1996 · $200,000 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 Middlesex forecast zone and Middlesex County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Saluda get?

A normal year brings about 9.6 inches of snow to Saluda, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the W Pt 2 Nw weather station 11.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.3 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.00.01.64.32.61.00.10.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Saluda?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 49 miles south-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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over SaludaView
KAKQ
Wakefield, VA
49 mi south-southwest3,400 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KDOX
Dover AFB, DE
105 mi northeast10,400 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KLWX
Sterling, MD
106 mi north-northwest10,600 ftLimited — 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 Saluda

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 68 tornadoes within 25 miles of Saluda, 9 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and April. The strongest was an EF3 on April 16, 2011, which passed about 13 miles southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on November 9, 2025, which touched down about 13 miles east-southeast of town.

Hail: 75 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on August 11, 1999.

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 Saluda'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.

Saluda radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Saluda, VA?

KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 49 miles south-southwest. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 105 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Saluda?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Saluda the lowest scan from KAKQ is about 3,400 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Saluda 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 Saluda, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

Radar for nearby towns

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