Big Sandy, WV Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Big Sandy, McDowell County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Big Sandy?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 75 days in the McDowell forecast zone and McDowell County — the most common reported hazard around Big Sandy, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (55 days) and flash flooding (33 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 75 | Jun 2026 | Feb 11, 2009 · 1 death · $250,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 55 | Feb 2026 | Jan 27, 1998 · $2.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 33 | Feb 2025 | Feb 15, 2025 · 3 deaths · $5.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 27 | Feb 2026 | Jan 23, 2005 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 24 | May 2025 | Feb 15, 2025 · $5.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 19 | Jul 2011 | — |
| High winds | 10 | Apr 2023 | Dec 9, 2009 · $20,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 3 | Nov 2001 | — |
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 McDowell forecast zone and McDowell County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Big Sandy get?
A normal year brings about 20 inches of snow to Big Sandy, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Pineville weather station 12.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 9.8 | 4.5 | 2.7 | 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 Big Sandy?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 59 miles north. 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 Big Sandy | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 59 mi north | 4,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 84 mi east-southeast | 7,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 89 mi west | 8,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Big Sandy
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 3 tornadoes within 25 miles of Big Sandy. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F1 on April 4, 1974, which passed about 16 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was an F1 on May 12, 1975, which touched down about 7 miles east of town.
Hail: 149 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 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 Big Sandy'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.
Big Sandy radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Big Sandy, WV?
KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 59 miles north. KFCX (Blacksburg, VA) is 84 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Big Sandy?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Big Sandy the lowest scan from KRLX is about 4,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Big Sandy 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 Big Sandy, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Welch, WV radar 7 mi
- Oceana, WV radar 17 mi
- Mullens, WV radar 19 mi
- Sophia, WV radar 30 mi
- Bluefield, WV radar 30 mi
- Logan, WV radar 31 mi
- Princeton, WV radar 34 mi
- Williamson, WV radar 34 mi
- Mabscott, WV radar 34 mi
- Beckley, WV radar 37 mi