Sussex, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sussex, Sussex County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sussex?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 76 days in the Sussex forecast zone and Sussex County — the most common reported hazard around Sussex, mostly in July and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (29 days) and flash flooding (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 76 | Jun 2026 | Jul 8, 2025 · $21,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 29 | Feb 2025 | Feb 19, 2025 · $1,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 20 | Sep 2025 | Sep 16, 1999 · $5.4 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 4 | Nov 2020 | Oct 9, 2016 · $100,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 3 | Aug 2011 | Aug 27, 2011 · $1.1 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Feb 2021 | Feb 13, 2021 · $40,000 damage |
| High winds | 1 | Sep 1999 | Sep 16, 1999 · $5,000 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 Sussex forecast zone and Sussex County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sussex get?
A normal year brings about 4.3 inches of snow to Sussex, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Stony Creek 2 N weather station 8.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 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 Sussex?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 15 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 Sussex | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 15 mi east-northeast | 800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 110 mi southwest | 11,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 143 mi north | 16,800 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 Sussex
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 55 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sussex, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on August 6, 1993, which touched down about 21 miles north-northwest of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on January 4, 2023, which touched down about 21 miles south of town.
Hail: 104 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on May 9, 2003.
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 Sussex'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.
Sussex radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sussex, VA?
KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 15 miles east-northeast. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 110 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sussex?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sussex the lowest scan from KAKQ is about 800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sussex 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 Sussex, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Waverly, VA radar 13 mi
- Courtland, VA radar 18 mi
- Petersburg, VA radar 21 mi
- Emporia, VA radar 21 mi
- Franklin, VA radar 24 mi
- Colonial Heights, VA radar 25 mi
- Hopewell, VA radar 26 mi
- Windsor, VA radar 30 mi
- Smithfield, VA radar 37 mi
- Suffolk, VA radar 38 mi