The Plains, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for The Plains, Fauquier County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits The Plains?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 227 days in the Northern Fauquier forecast zone and Fauquier County — the most common reported hazard around The Plains, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (42 days) and flooding (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 227 | Jun 2026 | Jun 22, 2022 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 42 | Jul 2025 | Jan 19, 1996 · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 42 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 27 | Jan 2026 | Feb 5, 2010 · $5,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 17 | Aug 2021 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Aug 2004 | Aug 30, 2001 · 2 deaths · $1,000 damage |
| High winds | 5 | Feb 2025 | Oct 29, 2012 · $40,000 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 Northern Fauquier forecast zone and Fauquier County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does The Plains get?
A normal year brings about 20 inches of snow to The Plains, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the The Plains 2 Nne weather station 2.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 8.4 | 4.4 | 3.3 | 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 The Plains?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 17 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 The Plains | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 17 mi east-northeast | 900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 126 mi east | 13,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 136 mi south-southeast | 15,600 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 The Plains
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 84 tornadoes within 25 miles of The Plains, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and June. The strongest was an F4 on September 24, 2001, which passed about 10 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on August 8, 2024, which passed about 11 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 321 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 18 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on July 2, 1968.
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 The Plains'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.
The Plains radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to The Plains, VA?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 17 miles east-northeast. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 126 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in The Plains?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over The Plains the lowest scan from KLWX is about 900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for The Plains 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 The Plains, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Haymarket, VA radar 8 mi
- Warrenton, VA radar 10 mi
- Manassas, VA radar 18 mi
- Manassas Park, VA radar 19 mi
- Purcellville, VA radar 19 mi
- Leesburg, VA radar 20 mi
- Herndon, VA radar 22 mi
- Front Royal, VA radar 22 mi
- Berryville, VA radar 23 mi
- Fairfax, VA radar 26 mi