Ripley, WV Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ripley, Jackson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ripley?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 82 days in the Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County — the most common reported hazard around Ripley, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (36 days) and flooding (36 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 82 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · $2.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 36 | Mar 2026 | Dec 18, 2009 · $25,000 damage |
| Flooding | 36 | May 2026 | Sep 17, 2004 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 34 | Jun 2025 | Jun 23, 2016 · 1 death · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 28 | Feb 2026 | Jan 27, 2014 · $25,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 20 | Jul 2011 | — |
| High winds | 13 | Dec 2025 | Mar 9, 2002 · $10,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Feb 2021 | Feb 16, 2003 · $3.5 million damage |
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 Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ripley get?
A normal year brings about 12 inches of snow to Ripley, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ripley weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (6.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.2 | 2.3 | 6.3 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 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 Ripley?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 35 miles south. 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 Ripley | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 35 mi south | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 121 mi west-northwest | 12,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 122 mi southwest | 13,000 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 Ripley
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 18 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ripley, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and April. The strongest was an EF3 on September 16, 2010, which passed about 21 miles north-northeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on May 26, 2024, which touched down about 22 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 150 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 8 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on September 25, 1994.
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 Ripley'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.
Ripley radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ripley, WV?
KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 35 miles south. KILN (Wilmington, OH) is 121 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ripley?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ripley the lowest scan from KRLX is about 2,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ripley 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 Ripley, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Ravenswood, WV radar 10 mi
- New Haven, WV radar 18 mi
- Spencer, WV radar 19 mi
- Buffalo, WV radar 21 mi
- Winfield, WV radar 22 mi
- Point Pleasant, WV radar 23 mi
- Eleanor, WV radar 23 mi
- Nitro, WV radar 29 mi
- St. Albans, WV radar 31 mi
- Dunbar, WV radar 31 mi