What should you know about Virginia weather?
Virginia stretches from the Atlantic coast to the Appalachian Mountains, creating one of the most weather-diverse states on the East Coast. The humid subtropical climate delivers hot, muggy summers and mild winters along the Tidewater region, while the Blue Ridge and Allegheny highlands see heavier snowfall and sharper temperature swings. Three NWS offices — Wakefield (WFO AKQ), Blacksburg (WFO RNK), and Sterling (WFO LWX) — cover the state, and the Virginia weather radar is essential for tracking storms as they move across these varied terrain zones from coast to mountain.
Hurricane season poses the biggest threat to coastal and central Virginia. The remnants of Hurricane Camille in August 1969 dumped up to 3 feet of rain on Nelson County in under 12 hours, killing 153 people in one of the state's worst natural disasters. Hurricane Isabel in 2003 caused the most widespread wind and storm surge damage in Virginia's recorded history, flooding portions of the Norfolk and Hampton Roads area. Beyond tropical systems, Virginia averages roughly 18 tornadoes per year, with peak activity in April and May. The Petersburg F4 tornado of August 1993 killed 4 people and caused $50 million in damage. Checking the weather radar in Virginia during severe weather season can give you critical minutes of lead time before a storm cell reaches your location.
Winter storms and ice events round out Virginia's risk profile, particularly in the Shenandoah Valley and mountain counties where heavy snow and freezing rain can shut down I-81 for hours. Temperature extremes range from a record high of 110°F at Balcony Falls in 1954 to a record low of -30°F at Mountain Lake in 1985. Virginia averages 43.5 inches of precipitation annually, with the tidewater coast receiving closer to 50 inches — making a live weather radar for Virginia a year-round necessity whether you are tracking a nor'easter in Northern Virginia or a summer thunderstorm rolling through Richmond.
Which weather risks show up most across Virginia?
Counted from the NOAA Storm Events Database for each city's county, 1996 to 2025.
What is the climate like across Virginia?
| Climate type | Cities | For example |
|---|---|---|
| Humid subtropical | 7 cities | Arlington, Fredericksburg, Leesburg |
What else do people ask about Virginia radar?
When is hurricane season in Virginia?
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with peak activity in August and September. Virginia's Tidewater region is most vulnerable to direct hits, but tropical remnants can dump catastrophic rainfall well inland. The remnants of Hurricane Camille in 1969 killed 153 people in Nelson County alone, dumping 3 feet of rain in under 12 hours.
Does Virginia get tornadoes?
Yes. Virginia averages roughly 18 tornadoes per year, with peak activity in April and May. Most are weak, but stronger tornadoes do hit — the Petersburg F4 tornado in August 1993 killed 4 people, injured 259, and caused $50 million in damage. Hurricane Ivan's remnants in 2004 spawned 38 tornadoes across the state in a single outbreak.
How much rain does Virginia get per year?
Virginia averages about 43.5 inches of precipitation annually, though amounts vary significantly by region. The Tidewater coast near Norfolk receives closer to 50 inches per year, while parts of the western mountains average less than 40 inches. Much of the heaviest rainfall arrives with tropical systems and spring thunderstorms, making radar monitoring essential.
What are the most dangerous weather events in Virginia history?
The remnants of Hurricane Camille in August 1969 rank as the deadliest, killing 153 people and causing catastrophic flooding in Nelson County. Hurricane Isabel in 2003 caused the most widespread damage across Virginia. The 2011 Super Outbreak produced 19 tornadoes including an EF3 in Glade Spring that carved a 24-mile path up to 1.32 miles wide.
Does Virginia get snow?
Snowfall varies dramatically across Virginia. Coastal areas near Norfolk and Virginia Beach see trace amounts most winters, while the Shenandoah Valley and mountain counties average 20 to 40 inches or more per year. Winter storms and ice events can shut down I-81 for hours, and the state's record low of -30°F was set at Mountain Lake in January 1985.
How is this Virginia radar different from WDBJ7 or WAVY TV 10 weather radar?
WDBJ7 and WAVY TV 10 pair their radar with meteorologist analysis and live storm coverage for their local broadcast areas. This page covers all of Virginia with a clean interface using interactive NEXRAD radar maps, Open-Meteo hourly forecasts, and a 7-day outlook. Radar imagery updates every 5 minutes. If you want quick statewide radar access without video autoplay, bookmark this page.
Which radar covers my Virginia city?
Find your city in the list above. It sits under the NEXRAD station closest to it, with the distance in miles.
Is this an official warning service?
No. For watches and warnings, follow the National Weather Service at weather.gov and your local alerts.