Reader, WV Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Reader, Wetzel County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Reader?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 77 days in the Wetzel forecast zone and Wetzel County — the most common reported hazard around Reader, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (33 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 77 | Jun 2026 | May 26, 2024 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 33 | Jun 2025 | Jun 14, 2022 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 22 | Jan 2026 | Jan 8, 1999 · $5,000 damage |
| Flooding | 13 | Apr 2024 | Sep 18, 2004 · $7.0 million damage |
| High winds | 10 | Mar 2023 | Feb 11, 2009 · $150,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Jan 2009 | — |
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 Wetzel forecast zone and Wetzel County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Reader get?
A normal year brings about 27 inches of snow to Reader, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Middlebourne 3 Ese weather station 9.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (11.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.5 | 3.9 | 11.0 | 7.7 | 4.1 | 0.1 | 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 Reader?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 72 miles north-northeast. 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 Reader | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 72 mi north-northeast | 5,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 102 mi south-southwest | 9,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 141 mi north-northwest | 16,400 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 Reader
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 10 tornadoes within 25 miles of Reader, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and October. The strongest was an F3 on October 1, 1986, which touched down about 19 miles south of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 23, 2017, which passed about 25 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 92 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 21, 1976.
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 Reader'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.
Reader radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Reader, WV?
KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 72 miles north-northeast. KRLX (Charleston, WV) is 102 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Reader?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Reader the lowest scan from KPBZ is about 5,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Reader 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 Reader, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- New Martinsville, WV radar 9 mi
- Paden City, WV radar 11 mi
- Sistersville, WV radar 14 mi
- Mannington, WV radar 21 mi
- Salem, WV radar 21 mi
- Pennsboro, WV radar 23 mi
- Moundsville, WV radar 25 mi
- Shinnston, WV radar 26 mi
- Glen Dale, WV radar 26 mi
- St. Marys, WV radar 28 mi