Smithfield, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Smithfield, Isle of Wight County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Smithfield?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 92 days in the Isle of Wight forecast zone and Isle of Wight County — the most common reported hazard around Smithfield, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (18 days) and flooding (9 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 92 | Jun 2026 | Jun 22, 2018 · $35,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jul 2025 | Oct 7, 2006 · $3.1 million damage |
| Flooding | 9 | Apr 2021 | Oct 8, 2016 · $2.7 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Sep 2025 | Sep 27, 2025 · $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 Isle of Wight forecast zone and Isle of Wight County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Smithfield?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 22 miles west. 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 Smithfield | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 22 mi west | 1,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 138 mi southwest | 15,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 143 mi north-northeast | 16,900 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 Smithfield
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 99 tornadoes within 25 miles of Smithfield, 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 north-northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 16, 2023, which crossed near town.
Hail: 205 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 9, 2009.
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 Smithfield'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.
Smithfield radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Smithfield, VA?
KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 22 miles west. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 138 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Smithfield?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Smithfield the lowest scan from KAKQ is about 1,200 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Smithfield 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 Smithfield, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Windsor, VA radar 13 mi
- Portsmouth, VA radar 16 mi
- Hampton, VA radar 18 mi
- Suffolk, VA radar 19 mi
- Poquoson, VA radar 20 mi
- Norfolk, VA radar 21 mi
- Williamsburg, VA radar 21 mi
- Chesapeake, VA radar 27 mi
- Waverly, VA radar 27 mi