Washington, WV Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Washington, Wood County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Washington?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 109 days in the Wood forecast zone and Wood County — the most common reported hazard around Washington, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (41 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (35 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 109 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · $4.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 41 | Jun 2026 | Jun 28, 1998 · $4.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 35 | Jan 2026 | Feb 14, 2003 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 31 | Mar 2026 | Jan 12, 2018 · 2 deaths · $5,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 29 | Feb 2026 | Jan 6, 2014 · $200,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 19 | Jul 2011 | — |
| High winds | 13 | Apr 2023 | Mar 9, 2002 · $5,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | Jul 2025 | May 27, 2014 · $125,000 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 Wood forecast zone and Wood County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Washington get?
A normal year brings about 11 inches of snow to Washington, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Parkersburg weather station 6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 5.5 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 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 Washington?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 65 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 Washington | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 65 mi south | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 116 mi west | 12,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 117 mi northeast | 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 Washington
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 22 tornadoes within 25 miles of Washington, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an EF3 on September 16, 2010, which passed about 8 miles south-southwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on May 9, 2024, which passed about 15 miles east of town.
Hail: 166 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on February 27, 2023.
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 Washington'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.
Washington radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Washington, WV?
KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 65 miles south. KILN (Wilmington, OH) is 116 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Washington?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Washington the lowest scan from KRLX is about 5,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Washington 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 Washington, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Parkersburg, WV radar 6 mi
- Vienna, WV radar 9 mi
- Williamstown, WV radar 15 mi
- Ravenswood, WV radar 21 mi
- New Haven, WV radar 24 mi
- St. Marys, WV radar 26 mi
- Ripley, WV radar 29 mi
- Harrisville, WV radar 33 mi
- Spencer, WV radar 35 mi
- Pennsboro, WV radar 37 mi