Richmond Weather Radar

Richmond Live Weather

Richmond Live Weather Radar

Click to toggle between the Richmond cloud cover radar map and the Richmond precipitation radar map.

Richmond Hourly Weather Forecast

Richmond 7-Day Weather Forecast

Richmond Weather Overview

Richmond sits along the James River fall line in central Virginia, where the Piedmont meets the coastal plain. The city gets 43.6 inches of rain per year in a humid subtropical climate monitored by NWS Wakefield (WFO AKQ). Richmond weather radar picks up systems arriving from the mountains to the west and tropical moisture from the coast, making it a daily reference for the metro area.

Hurricanes and tropical storms are the top threat. Tropical storm-force winds reach Richmond every 3 to 5 years. Hurricane Isabel in 2003 pushed the James River past 28 feet, and Hurricane Gaston flooded Shockoe Bottom with 10-plus inches of rain in 2004. Richmond weather radar tracked both systems hours before landfall. The June 2012 derecho brought 80-plus mph winds across Virginia — richmond weather radar showed the line of storms racing eastward. Summer thunderstorms also produce frequent lightning and flash flooding along low-lying creek beds near downtown.

Winter storms add a second layer of risk. The Blizzard of 1996 dropped 17 inches on Richmond, and Snowmageddon in 2010 delivered about 20 inches from back-to-back systems. Richmond weather radar shows snow bands and the shifting rain-snow line as nor'easters move through. Richmond weather radar also helps spot rotating cells during spring tornado season, when the metro area averages 1 to 2 tornadoes per year. Checking richmond weather radar before driving I-95 or I-64 saves time and keeps you off flooded roads.

Richmond Weather Risks & Safety

Key weather hazards to monitor on the Richmond weather radar

Hurricane & Tropical Storm Risk

Richmond sits in the path of Atlantic and Gulf tropical systems. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, peaking in August and September when warm sea surface temperatures fuel rapid intensification. On the radar, you can track the eye wall, rain bands, and embedded tornadoes as a storm approaches. If you live in Richmond, keep your evacuation plan current and check the radar frequently once a tropical advisory is issued.

Severe Thunderstorm Risk

Severe thunderstorms roll through Richmond regularly, especially spring through early fall. Expect damaging winds above 58 mph, large hail, and dangerous lightning. The radar shows you each storm cell's position, movement, and intensity — so you can tell if one is headed your way. When a thunderstorm warning drops for Richmond, get indoors and away from windows until it passes.

Flooding & Flash Flood Risk

Flash flooding is Richmond's most persistent weather hazard. Slow-moving thunderstorms or tropical moisture can dump enough rain to overwhelm drainage systems within hours — especially in paved urban areas where water has nowhere to go. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.

Winter Storm Risk

Winter storms hit Richmond when Gulf or Pacific moisture runs into cold Arctic air — the result is some combination of heavy snow, ice, and strong winds. The key thing to watch on radar is the rain-snow line: that boundary determines whether Richmond gets rain, freezing rain, or heavy snow, and it can shift by miles in an hour. When a winter storm watch goes up, stock your emergency supplies and plan to stay home.

How to Use Richmond Weather Radar

Follow these steps to get the most from the Richmond weather radar data.

Open the Richmond weather radar map

Load this page to see the live Doppler radar centered on Richmond. The default view covers the James River valley and surrounding counties monitored by NWS Wakefield.

Check radar layers for your threat type

Switch between precipitation, wind, and temperature layers. During hurricane season, wind data helps track tropical systems moving up the I-95 corridor toward Richmond.

Zoom into your Richmond neighborhood

Pinch or scroll to zoom into specific areas like Shockoe Bottom, which floods during heavy rain, or the Fan District. Street-level detail shows exactly where storms are heading.

Use the timeline to track storm movement

Drag the time slider to watch how cells have moved over the past hour. Richmond often sees storms roll in from the southwest along the I-64 corridor during summer months.

Who Benefits from Richmond Weather Radar

How different people use the Richmond radar data

Commuters & Drivers

Drivers on I-95 and I-64 through Richmond check radar before merging into rush-hour traffic during storms.

Outdoor Enthusiasts

Kayakers and hikers along the James River use radar to watch for pop-up thunderstorms in summer.

Event Planners & Families

Organizers at Richmond Raceway and Carytown festivals monitor radar to make weather-delay calls.

Outdoor Workers

Construction and utility crews across metro Richmond track storm cells to plan safe outdoor shifts.

Richmond Weather FAQ

Common questions about Richmond weather patterns and radar

What radar station covers Richmond, Virginia?

The NWS Wakefield office (WFO AKQ) operates the primary NEXRAD radar serving Richmond. This station covers the entire metro area, the James River corridor, and surrounding counties. Our Richmond weather radar page pulls data directly from this NEXRAD station. The radar reaches well beyond city limits, covering areas from Fredericksburg south to Petersburg and east toward Williamsburg.

How does this Richmond weather radar compare to NBC12 WWBT radar?

Both pull from the same NWS NEXRAD data source. NBC12 (WWBT) overlays their own branding and commentary, which can be helpful during live broadcasts. Our Richmond weather radar loads faster with no video ads, works on any device, and lets you control layers and zoom freely. For raw radar data without waiting for a TV stream, this page is more direct.

How often does the Richmond weather radar update?

The NEXRAD station near Richmond updates every 4 to 6 minutes during clear weather. When the NWS Wakefield office detects active storms, the radar switches to a faster scan cycle of about 2 to 3 minutes. Our page refreshes automatically, so you always see the latest sweep without needing to reload manually.

What severe weather threats should Richmond residents watch for on radar?

Richmond faces hurricanes and tropical storms every 3 to 5 years, severe thunderstorms with damaging winds in summer, and winter storms that can dump 15 or more inches of snow. Hurricane Isabel in 2003 pushed the James River to 28 feet. The June 2012 derecho brought 80-plus mph winds. Richmond weather radar helps track all of these in real time.

Can I see hourly Richmond weather radar data?

Yes. Use the timeline slider on our Richmond weather radar to view the past several hours of radar sweeps. This shows how storms have moved and helps predict where they are heading next. Richmond averages 43.6 inches of rain per year, spread across frequent summer thunderstorms and steady winter precipitation, so hourly tracking is useful most weeks.

Does Richmond weather radar work during winter storms?

Yes. NEXRAD detects snow, sleet, and freezing rain just like it detects summer thunderstorms. During events like the Blizzard of 1996, which dropped 17 inches on Richmond, or Snowmageddon in 2010 with 20 inches, radar clearly shows the precipitation bands. Richmond weather radar is especially useful for watching the rain-snow line shift through the metro area.