Virginia Weather Radar
Virginia Live Weather
Virginia Live Weather Radar
Virginia Hourly Weather Forecast
Virginia 7-Day Weather Forecast
Virginia Weather Overview
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.
Virginia Weather Risks & Safety
Hurricane & Tropical Storm Risk
Virginia 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 Virginia, keep your evacuation plan current and check the radar frequently once a tropical advisory is issued.
Severe Thunderstorm Risk
Severe thunderstorms roll through Virginia 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 Virginia, get indoors and away from windows until it passes.
Tornado Risk
Tornadoes hit Virginia hardest in spring and early summer, when warm Gulf air slams into cooler northern fronts. Supercell thunderstorms can spin up EF2+ tornadoes with very little lead time. On radar, rotation signatures inside storm cells give you a few critical minutes to reach shelter. Virginia averages several tornado warnings per year — know where your safe room or interior closet is before you need it.
Flooding & Flash Flood Risk
Flash flooding is Virginia'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 Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia Weather Radar
Check Current Conditions
View the weather status bar at the top of the Virginia weather radar page for temperature, humidity, wind speed, and current conditions across the Commonwealth.
Watch the Radar Map
The Virginia weather radar map shows precipitation moving across the state from the coast to the Blue Ridge. Toggle between views and play the animation to track storm direction and speed.
Check the Forecast
Scroll to the hourly and 7-day forecast. Look for incoming hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, or winter storms that could affect your area of Virginia in the coming hours or days.
Plan Around the Weather
Storms moving in from the coast or the mountains? Check back frequently during hurricane season (June through November) and spring tornado season — Virginia weather shifts fast.
Who Benefits from Virginia Weather Radar
Commuters & Drivers
Check radar before driving I-95, I-64, or I-81 — spot storms, flooding, and winter weather on your route.
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Hikers on the Appalachian Trail and Shenandoah National Park — see incoming storms 30 minutes out.
Event Planners & Families
Planning outdoor events at Virginia Beach or Colonial Williamsburg? Radar shows exactly when rain hits.
Outdoor Workers
Construction and farm crews — check radar before outdoor work. Virginia storms bring hail and flash flooding.