Williamsburg, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Williamsburg, City of Williamsburg County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Williamsburg?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 28 days in the James City forecast zone and City of Williamsburg County — the most common reported hazard around Williamsburg, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (27 days) and coastal flooding (17 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 28 | Feb 2025 | Jan 10, 2025 · $1,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 27 | Aug 2024 | Aug 10, 2022 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Coastal flooding | 17 | Oct 2025 | Oct 28, 2012 · $45,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 7 | Aug 2020 | Sep 18, 2003 · $45 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Jul 2025 | — |
| High winds | 3 | Oct 2018 | Mar 2, 2018 · 1 death · $25,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | Nov 2020 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Feb 2021 | Feb 13, 2021 · $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 James City forecast zone and City of Williamsburg County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Williamsburg get?
A normal year brings about 4.3 inches of snow to Williamsburg, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Williamsburg 2 N weather station 2.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 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 Williamsburg?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 26 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 Williamsburg | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 26 mi southwest | 1,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 125 mi north-northwest | 13,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 128 mi north-northeast | 14,100 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 Williamsburg
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 72 tornadoes within 25 miles of Williamsburg, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and April. The strongest was an EF3 on April 16, 2011, which passed about 5 miles southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on March 5, 2025, which touched down about 9 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 109 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 9, 1980.
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 Williamsburg'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.
Williamsburg radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Williamsburg, VA?
KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 26 miles southwest. KLWX (Sterling, MD) is 125 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Williamsburg?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Williamsburg the lowest scan from KAKQ is about 1,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Newport News, VA radar 17 mi
- West Point, VA radar 20 mi
- Smithfield, VA radar 21 mi
- Poquoson, VA radar 24 mi
- Waverly, VA radar 27 mi
- Hampton, VA radar 27 mi
- Windsor, VA radar 32 mi
- Hopewell, VA radar 33 mi
- Portsmouth, VA radar 34 mi
- Norfolk, VA radar 35 mi