Sanford, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sanford, Accomack County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sanford?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 72 days in the Accomack forecast zone and Accomack County — the most common reported hazard around Sanford, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (35 days) and coastal flooding (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 72 | Jun 2026 | Jun 26, 1997 · $15,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 35 | Feb 2026 | Feb 22, 2026 · $1,000 damage |
| Coastal flooding | 19 | Oct 2025 | Oct 28, 2012 · $6.0 million damage |
| High winds | 15 | Feb 2026 | Sep 1, 2006 · $3.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Aug 2025 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 11 | Sep 2023 | Sep 15, 1999 · 1 death · $11 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Jun 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 4 | Oct 2016 | Jul 1, 2016 · 1 death |
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 Accomack forecast zone and Accomack County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sanford get?
A normal year brings about 8.4 inches of snow to Sanford, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wallops Island Flight Fac weather station 11.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (3.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.7 | 3.5 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 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 Sanford?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDOX (Dover AFB, DE), about 63 miles north-northeast. 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 Sanford | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 63 mi north-northeast | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 98 mi southwest | 9,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 122 mi northwest | 13,100 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 Sanford
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 22 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sanford, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and August. The strongest was an EF2 on August 4, 2020, which passed about 17 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on August 4, 2022, which touched down about 20 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 31 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on September 5, 1960.
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 Sanford'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.
Sanford radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sanford, VA?
KDOX (Dover AFB, DE), about 63 miles north-northeast. KAKQ (Wakefield, VA) is 98 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sanford?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sanford the lowest scan from KDOX is about 4,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sanford 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 Sanford, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Onancock, VA radar 16 mi
- Chincoteague, VA radar 17 mi
- Exmore, VA radar 29 mi
- Kilmarnock, VA radar 42 mi
- Cape Charles, VA radar 51 mi
- Warsaw, VA radar 60 mi