Welch, WV Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Welch, McDowell County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for WelchWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Welch?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 75 days in the McDowell forecast zone and McDowell County — the most common reported hazard around Welch, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (55 days) and flash flooding (33 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds75Jun 2026Feb 11, 2009 · 1 death · $250,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms55Feb 2026Jan 27, 1998 · $2.0 million damage
Flash flooding33Feb 2025Feb 15, 2025 · 3 deaths · $5.0 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill27Feb 2026Jan 23, 2005 · 1 death
Flooding24May 2025Feb 15, 2025 · $5.0 million damage
Excessive heat19Jul 2011—
High winds10Apr 2023Dec 9, 2009 · $20,000 damage
Wildfires3Nov 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 McDowell forecast zone and McDowell County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Welch get?

A normal year brings about 20 inches of snow to Welch, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Pineville weather station 10.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.8 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.00.42.69.84.52.70.00.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Welch?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 61 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over WelchView
KRLX
Charleston, WV		61 mi north4,700 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KFCX
Blacksburg, VA		78 mi east-southeast6,600 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KJKL
Jackson, KY		95 mi west8,900 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation

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 Welch

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 6 tornadoes within 25 miles of Welch, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and October. The strongest was an F3 on April 4, 1974, which passed about 24 miles northeast of town. The most recent was an EF2 on October 7, 2014, which passed about 25 miles east-northeast of town.

Hail: 174 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 9, 1980.

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 Welch'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.

Welch radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Welch, WV?

KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 61 miles north. KFCX (Blacksburg, VA) is 78 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Welch?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Welch the lowest scan from KRLX is about 4,700 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Welch 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 Welch, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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