Hico, WV Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hico, Fayette County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hico?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 81 days in the Northwest Fayette forecast zone and Fayette County — the most common reported hazard around Hico, mostly in June and May. Next come flash flooding (33 days) and flooding (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 81 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · $3.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 33 | Sep 2025 | Jul 8, 2001 · $47 million damage |
| Flooding | 19 | Jun 2026 | Feb 16, 2023 · 1 death · $2,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 16 | Feb 2026 | — |
| High winds | 4 | Jan 2024 | Apr 12, 2020 · $30,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jun 2015 | Jun 1, 2015 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 2 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Wildfires | 2 | 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 Northwest Fayette forecast zone and Fayette County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Hico get?
A normal year brings about 68 inches of snow to Hico, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mt Nebo 1 S weather station 10.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (21.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | 1.8 | 11.9 | 21.1 | 14.8 | 12.8 | 3.2 | 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 Hico?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 41 miles west-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 Hico | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 41 mi west-northwest | 2,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 86 mi south-southeast | 7,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 131 mi west-southwest | 14,600 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 Hico
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 9 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hico, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and February. The strongest was an F3 on April 4, 1974, which passed about 19 miles south-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on April 2, 2024, which touched down about 24 miles west of town.
Hail: 103 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 23, 2019.
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 Hico'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.
Hico radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hico, WV?
KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 41 miles west-northwest. KFCX (Blacksburg, VA) is 86 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hico?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hico the lowest scan from KRLX is about 2,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Hico 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 Hico, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Ansted, WV radar 5 mi
- Fayetteville, WV radar 6 mi
- Oak Hill, WV radar 13 mi
- Summersville, WV radar 15 mi
- Rainelle, WV radar 17 mi
- Montgomery, WV radar 17 mi
- Mount Hope, WV radar 18 mi
- Beckley, WV radar 25 mi
- Mabscott, WV radar 26 mi
- Richwood, WV radar 27 mi