Institute, WV Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Institute, Kanawha County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Institute?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 206 days in the Kanawha forecast zone and Kanawha County — the most common reported hazard around Institute, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (91 days) and flooding (49 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 206 | Jun 2026 | Aug 4, 2010 · 1 death · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 91 | Jun 2026 | Feb 18, 2000 · 3 deaths · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 49 | Jul 2025 | Jun 23, 2016 · 4 deaths · $36 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 43 | Feb 2026 | Feb 16, 2003 · $1.8 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 27 | Feb 2026 | Dec 30, 2017 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 20 | Jul 2011 | — |
| High winds | 17 | Apr 2023 | Dec 9, 2009 · $125,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | Jul 2018 | Jul 27, 2005 · 1 death |
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 Kanawha forecast zone and Kanawha County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Institute get?
A normal year brings about 32 inches of snow to Institute, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Charleston Yeager Ap weather station 9.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6 | 1.5 | 5.0 | 10.3 | 7.7 | 5.9 | 0.5 | 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 Institute?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 5 miles south-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 Institute | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 5 mi south-southeast | 300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 100 mi west-southwest | 9,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 124 mi southeast | 13,400 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 Institute
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 30 tornadoes within 25 miles of Institute, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an EF3 on March 2, 2012, which passed about 25 miles southwest of town and caused 10 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 26, 2024, which touched down about 12 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 214 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-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 Institute'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.
Institute radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Institute, WV?
KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 5 miles south-southeast. KJKL (Jackson, KY) is 100 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Institute?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Institute the lowest scan from KRLX is about 300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Institute 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 Institute, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- St. Albans, WV radar 3 mi
- Nitro, WV radar 3 mi
- South Charleston, WV radar 4 mi
- Charleston, WV radar 8 mi
- Winfield, WV radar 12 mi
- Marmet, WV radar 14 mi
- Eleanor, WV radar 14 mi
- Hurricane, WV radar 14 mi
- Belle, WV radar 16 mi