Winchester, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Winchester, City of Winchester County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Winchester?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 71 days in the Frederick forecast zone and City of Winchester County — the most common reported hazard around Winchester, mostly in January and February. Next come excessive heat (36 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 71 | Jan 2026 | Feb 14, 2003 · 1 death · $1.4 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 36 | Aug 2021 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 34 | Jun 2025 | Jul 17, 2021 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 18 | Feb 2025 | Sep 18, 2003 · $6.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Dec 2022 | Feb 4, 1998 · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 8 | Jun 2022 | — |
| Flooding | 5 | May 2011 | — |
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 Frederick forecast zone and City of Winchester County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Winchester get?
A normal year brings about 23 inches of snow to Winchester, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Winchester weather station 1.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.6 | 3.8 | 6.9 | 8.0 | 3.8 | 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 Winchester?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 39 miles east-southeast. 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 Winchester | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 39 mi east-southeast | 2,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KCCX State College, PA | 121 mi north | 12,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 143 mi northwest | 16,900 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 Winchester
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 52 tornadoes within 25 miles of Winchester, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F2 on September 17, 2004, which touched down about 16 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on August 8, 2024, which passed about 17 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 264 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on April 23, 1999.
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 Winchester'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.
Winchester radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Winchester, VA?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 39 miles east-southeast. KCCX (State College, PA) is 121 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Winchester?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Winchester the lowest scan from KLWX is about 2,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Winchester 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 Winchester, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Stephens City, VA radar 6 mi
- Berryville, VA radar 11 mi
- Middletown, VA radar 11 mi
- Strasburg, VA radar 15 mi
- Front Royal, VA radar 17 mi
- Purcellville, VA radar 25 mi
- Woodstock, VA radar 28 mi
- Lovettsville, VA radar 29 mi
- Edinburg, VA radar 32 mi
- Leesburg, VA radar 33 mi