Wakefield, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Wakefield, Sussex County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Wakefield?
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 Wakefield, 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 Wakefield get?
A normal year brings about 6.4 inches of snow to Wakefield, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wakefield 1Nw weather station 1.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (3.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 3.5 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 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 Wakefield?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 2 miles 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 Wakefield | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 2 mi northwest | 100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 123 mi southwest | 13,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 141 mi north | 16,500 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 Wakefield
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 61 tornadoes within 25 miles of Wakefield, 9 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and August. The strongest was an EF3 on April 16, 2011, which passed about 20 miles northeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 16, 2023, which passed about 19 miles east of town.
Hail: 107 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on August 18, 2001.
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 Wakefield'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.
Wakefield radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Wakefield, VA?
KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 2 miles northwest. KRAX (Raleigh/Durham, NC) is 123 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Wakefield?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Wakefield the lowest scan from KAKQ is about 100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Wakefield 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 Wakefield, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Waverly, VA radar 7 mi
- Windsor, VA radar 18 mi
- Courtland, VA radar 18 mi
- Franklin, VA radar 20 mi
- Smithfield, VA radar 21 mi
- Williamsburg, VA radar 26 mi
- Newport News, VA radar 27 mi
- Suffolk, VA radar 27 mi
- Petersburg, VA radar 28 mi
- Hopewell, VA radar 28 mi