Sprague, WV Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sprague, Raleigh County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sprague?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 92 days in the Southeast Raleigh forecast zone and Raleigh County — the most common reported hazard around Sprague, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (40 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 92 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · $3.5 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 40 | Jun 2026 | Jun 1, 1997 · 2 deaths · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 22 | Feb 2026 | Feb 11, 2021 · $3,000 damage |
| Flooding | 19 | Feb 2025 | Mar 13, 2010 · 2 deaths · $4.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Feb 2017 | Jul 23, 2012 · $30,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Feb 2026 | Dec 23, 2022 · $1.5 million damage |
| High winds | 3 | Jan 2024 | Jan 12, 2024 · $10,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 3 | 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 Southeast Raleigh forecast zone and Raleigh County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sprague get?
A normal year brings about 38 inches of snow to Sprague, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Beckley Va Hospital weather station 2.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (12.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 1.2 | 7.9 | 12.8 | 10.0 | 5.2 | 0.8 | 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 Sprague?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 46 miles 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 Sprague | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 46 mi northwest | 3,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KFCX Blacksburg, VA | 73 mi southeast | 6,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 117 mi west | 12,300 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 Sprague
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 15 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sprague, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and October. The strongest was an F3 on April 4, 1974, which passed about 9 miles east of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF2 on April 2, 2024, which passed about 22 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 159 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 23, 1962.
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 Sprague'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.
Sprague radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sprague, WV?
KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 46 miles northwest. KFCX (Blacksburg, VA) is 73 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sprague?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sprague the lowest scan from KRLX is about 3,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sprague 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 Sprague, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Beckley, WV radar 2 mi
- Mabscott, WV radar 2 mi
- Sophia, WV radar 7 mi
- Mount Hope, WV radar 7 mi
- Oak Hill, WV radar 13 mi
- Mullens, WV radar 18 mi
- Hinton, WV radar 18 mi
- Fayetteville, WV radar 19 mi
- Ansted, WV radar 24 mi
- Oceana, WV radar 25 mi