Rachel, WV Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rachel, Marion County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rachel?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 93 days in the Marion forecast zone and Marion County — the most common reported hazard around Rachel, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (57 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (25 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 93 | Jun 2026 | May 25, 2004 · 1 death · $15,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 57 | Jul 2025 | Jun 14, 2003 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 25 | Jan 2026 | Feb 16, 2003 · $8,000 damage |
| Flooding | 21 | Feb 2022 | May 4, 2009 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 13 | Jan 2020 | Feb 11, 2009 · $75,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Jan 2009 | — |
| Debris flows | 1 | May 2025 | — |
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 Marion forecast zone and Marion County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Rachel?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 70 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 Rachel | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 70 mi north | 5,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 113 mi southwest | 11,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 154 mi north-northwest | 19,100 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 Rachel
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 28 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rachel, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on June 3, 1980, which passed about 21 miles east of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 26, 2024, which touched down about 20 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 140 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 28, 2016.
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 Rachel'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.
Rachel radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rachel, WV?
KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 70 miles north. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 113 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rachel?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rachel the lowest scan from KPBZ is about 5,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rachel 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 Rachel, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Mannington, WV radar 2 mi
- Monongah, WV radar 6 mi
- Barrackville, WV radar 7 mi
- Fairmont, WV radar 9 mi
- Shinnston, WV radar 9 mi
- Pleasant Valley, WV radar 9 mi
- Bridgeport, WV radar 15 mi
- Clarksburg, WV radar 18 mi
- Nutter Fort, WV radar 18 mi
- Westover, WV radar 18 mi