University Center, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for University Center, Loudoun County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits University Center?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 252 days in the Eastern Loudoun forecast zone and Loudoun County — the most common reported hazard around University Center, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (48 days) and flooding (46 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 252 | Jun 2026 | Jul 3, 2011 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 48 | Jun 2025 | Jan 19, 1996 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 46 | Dec 2023 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 17 | Jun 2022 | Jun 22, 2022 · $336,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Jun 2025 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 10 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 7 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Feb 2026 | — |
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 Eastern Loudoun forecast zone and Loudoun County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does University Center get?
A normal year brings about 21 inches of snow to University Center, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Washington Dc Dulles Ap weather station 8.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.3 | 2.8 | 6.9 | 7.0 | 3.9 | 0.1 | 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 University Center?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 6 miles south-southwest. 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 University Center | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 6 mi south-southwest | 300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 109 mi east | 11,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCCX State College, PA | 132 mi north-northwest | 14,800 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 University Center
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 105 tornadoes within 25 miles of University Center, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on September 5, 1979, which passed about 10 miles east-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on August 8, 2024, which passed about 21 miles west of town.
Hail: 468 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 26 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 University Center'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.
University Center radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to University Center, VA?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 6 miles south-southwest. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 109 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in University Center?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over University Center the lowest scan from KLWX is about 300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for University Center 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 University Center, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Leesburg, VA radar 7 mi
- Herndon, VA radar 7 mi
- Vienna, VA radar 15 mi
- Purcellville, VA radar 15 mi
- Fairfax, VA radar 16 mi
- Lovettsville, VA radar 18 mi
- Falls Church, VA radar 19 mi
- Haymarket, VA radar 20 mi
- Manassas Park, VA radar 20 mi
- Manassas, VA radar 22 mi