Stephens City, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Stephens City, Frederick County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Stephens City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 132 days in the Frederick forecast zone and Frederick County — the most common reported hazard around Stephens City, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (71 days) and flooding (44 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 132 | Jun 2026 | Jun 26, 1997 · $260,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 71 | Jan 2026 | Feb 14, 2003 · 1 death · $1.4 million damage |
| Flooding | 44 | May 2025 | — |
| Excessive heat | 36 | Aug 2021 | — |
| Flash flooding | 34 | Aug 2024 | May 16, 2014 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| High winds | 18 | Feb 2025 | Sep 18, 2003 · $6.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | Jun 2008 | May 15, 2004 · $150,000 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 Frederick forecast zone and Frederick County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Stephens City get?
A normal year brings about 23 inches of snow to Stephens City, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Winchester weather station 7.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.6 | 3.8 | 6.9 | 8.0 | 3.8 | 0.0 | 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 Stephens City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 40 miles east-southeast. 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 Stephens City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 40 mi east-southeast | 2,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KCCX State College, PA | 127 mi north | 13,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 145 mi northwest | 17,300 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 Stephens City
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 49 tornadoes within 25 miles of Stephens City, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F2 on September 17, 2004, which touched down about 22 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on August 8, 2024, which passed about 17 miles east of town.
Hail: 243 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on April 23, 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 Stephens City'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.
Stephens City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Stephens City, VA?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 40 miles east-southeast. KCCX (State College, PA) is 127 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Stephens City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Stephens City the lowest scan from KLWX is about 2,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Stephens City 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 Stephens City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Middletown, VA radar 5 mi
- Winchester, VA radar 6 mi
- Strasburg, VA radar 9 mi
- Front Royal, VA radar 12 mi
- Berryville, VA radar 13 mi
- Woodstock, VA radar 22 mi
- Edinburg, VA radar 26 mi
- Purcellville, VA radar 27 mi
- Luray, VA radar 32 mi
- Lovettsville, VA radar 33 mi