South Hill, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for South Hill, Mecklenburg County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits South Hill?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 120 days in the Mecklenburg forecast zone and Mecklenburg County — the most common reported hazard around South Hill, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (30 days) and flash flooding (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 120 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · $90,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 30 | Feb 2026 | Feb 18, 2021 · $30,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 22 | Aug 2025 | Jan 9, 2024 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Flooding | 9 | Jun 2020 | Oct 8, 2016 · $25,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Jun 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Feb 2021 | Feb 13, 2021 · $50,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jul 2024 | Aug 27, 2000 · $10,000 damage |
| High winds | 2 | Oct 2018 | Oct 11, 2018 · $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 Mecklenburg forecast zone and Mecklenburg County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover South Hill?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 65 miles east-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 South Hill | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 65 mi east-northeast | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 76 mi south-southwest | 6,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 120 mi west | 12,800 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 South Hill
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 35 tornadoes within 25 miles of South Hill, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F3 on October 14, 1986, which passed about 20 miles east of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 27, 2020, which touched down about 15 miles south of town.
Hail: 75 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 8 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on February 24, 2016.
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 South Hill'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.
South Hill radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to South Hill, VA?
KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 65 miles east-northeast. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 76 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in South Hill?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over South Hill the lowest scan from KAKQ is about 5,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for South Hill 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 South Hill, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Kenbridge, VA radar 16 mi
- Chase City, VA radar 19 mi
- Victoria, VA radar 19 mi
- Clarksville, VA radar 25 mi
- Blackstone, VA radar 26 mi
- Crewe, VA radar 31 mi
- Emporia, VA radar 33 mi
- Farmville, VA radar 42 mi
- South Boston, VA radar 43 mi
- Halifax, VA radar 44 mi