Virginia Beach, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Virginia Beach, City of Virginia Beach County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Virginia Beach?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 94 days in the Virginia Beach forecast zone and City of Virginia Beach County — the most common reported hazard around Virginia Beach, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (41 days) and coastal flooding (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 94 | Jun 2026 | Jul 10, 2014 · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 41 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Coastal flooding | 29 | Oct 2025 | Nov 12, 2009 · $5.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 26 | Feb 2026 | Jan 25, 2000 · $50,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 17 | Aug 2025 | Sep 18, 2003 · $39 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Jul 2025 | Jul 6, 2008 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 14 | Nov 2020 | Oct 8, 2016 · $5.0 million damage |
| High winds | 13 | Feb 2026 | Oct 8, 2016 · $250,000 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 Virginia Beach forecast zone and City of Virginia Beach County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Virginia Beach get?
A normal year brings about 3.4 inches of snow to Virginia Beach, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Oceana Nas weather station 2.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 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 Virginia Beach?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 56 miles west-northwest. 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 Virginia Beach | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 56 mi west-northwest | 4,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 145 mi north-northeast | 17,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 146 mi south-southwest | 17,500 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 Virginia Beach
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 54 tornadoes within 25 miles of Virginia Beach, 8 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and April. The strongest was an EF3 on April 28, 2008, which passed about 18 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF3 on April 30, 2023, which passed about 8 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 163 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 9, 2009.
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 Virginia Beach'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.
Virginia Beach radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Virginia Beach, VA?
KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 56 miles west-northwest. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 145 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Virginia Beach?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Virginia Beach the lowest scan from KAKQ is about 4,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Norfolk, VA radar 16 mi
- Chesapeake, VA radar 17 mi
- Portsmouth, VA radar 19 mi
- Hampton, VA radar 24 mi
- Poquoson, VA radar 28 mi
- Cape Charles, VA radar 33 mi
- Suffolk, VA radar 34 mi
- Newport News, VA radar 34 mi
- Smithfield, VA radar 35 mi
- Windsor, VA radar 39 mi