Vinton, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Vinton, Roanoke County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Vinton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 109 days in the Roanoke forecast zone and Roanoke County — the most common reported hazard around Vinton, mostly in June and July. Next come high winds (67 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (56 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 109 | Jun 2026 | Mar 10, 2011 · $1.1 million damage |
| High winds | 67 | Dec 2025 | Apr 1, 2023 · $60,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 56 | Jan 2026 | Feb 12, 2014 · $550,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 42 | Aug 2025 | May 27, 2018 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 25 | Feb 2025 | Feb 22, 2003 · $3.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Nov 2018 | Dec 15, 2007 · $20,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Jul 2025 | Jul 14, 2025 · $50,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Dec 2022 | Mar 8, 1996 · $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 Roanoke forecast zone and Roanoke County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Vinton get?
A normal year brings about 15 inches of snow to Vinton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Roanoke Rgnl Ap weather station 5.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (4.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 3.2 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 2.3 | 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 Vinton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 27 miles 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 Vinton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 27 mi southwest | 1,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 123 mi northwest | 13,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 136 mi southeast | 15,500 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 Vinton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 21 tornadoes within 25 miles of Vinton, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF3 on April 19, 2019, which passed about 22 miles south of town. The most recent was an EF1 on September 27, 2024, which touched down about 18 miles east of town.
Hail: 290 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 8 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 4, 1993.
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 Vinton'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.
Vinton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Vinton, VA?
KFCX (Blacksburg, VA), about 27 miles southwest. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 123 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Vinton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Vinton the lowest scan from KFCX is about 1,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Vinton 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 Vinton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Roanoke, VA radar 4 mi
- Salem, VA radar 9 mi
- Rocky Mount, VA radar 19 mi
- Buchanan, VA radar 20 mi
- Bedford, VA radar 21 mi
- Blacksburg, VA radar 30 mi
- Christiansburg, VA radar 30 mi
- Glasgow, VA radar 34 mi
- Hurt, VA radar 34 mi
- Altavista, VA radar 35 mi