Cucumber, WV Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cucumber, McDowell County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cucumber?
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 Cucumber, 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.
Which radars cover Cucumber?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 72 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 Cucumber | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 72 mi north | 5,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 76 mi east-southeast | 6,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 95 mi west-northwest | 8,900 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 Cucumber
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 3 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cucumber. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F1 on April 4, 1974, which passed about 22 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an F1 on May 12, 1975, which touched down about 13 miles north of town.
Hail: 148 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 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 Cucumber'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.
Cucumber radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cucumber, WV?
KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 72 miles north. KFCX (Blacksburg, VA) is 76 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cucumber?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cucumber the lowest scan from KRLX is about 5,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Cucumber 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 Cucumber, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Welch, WV radar 10 mi
- Bluefield, WV radar 23 mi
- Mullens, WV radar 25 mi
- Oceana, WV radar 29 mi
- Princeton, WV radar 30 mi
- Athens, WV radar 35 mi
- Sophia, WV radar 36 mi
- Mabscott, WV radar 41 mi
- Beckley, WV radar 43 mi
- Logan, WV radar 44 mi