Virginia Beach, on the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, receives around 1,190 mm (about 47 inches) of rain a year, with direct exposure to Atlantic hurricanes and tropical storms from June through November posing the city’s most serious weather risk. The area’s notoriously flat, low-lying terrain, combined with a high water table, means that even routine heavy rain can cause significant nuisance flooding, a problem that worsens considerably when storm surge from an approaching tropical system pushes water in from the ocean at the same time. Because rain and coastal surge can compound each other here, radar tracking of approaching systems is treated as a critical tool. NWS Doppler radar KAKQ (Wakefield, VA) covers the region.
Learn more: Hurricane Season Radar Guide · Open the full Rain Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it raining in Virginia Beach right now?
The live radar map above shows precipitation over Virginia Beach, Virginia in real time. Blue shades indicate light rain, while yellow, orange, and red mark heavier downpours. If no colored echoes appear over Virginia Beach, no significant rain is currently being detected.
How often does the Virginia Beach rain radar update?
The radar refreshes continuously, typically every few minutes, so the map reflects current conditions rather than an hours-old forecast. Press play to animate the most recent frames.
Can I see if a storm is heading toward Virginia Beach?
Yes. Press play on the radar to animate the last few hours of rainfall and watch which way rain cells over Virginia are moving – the clearest way to judge whether a shower will reach Virginia Beach or pass by.
Is this Virginia Beach rain radar free to use?
Yes, completely free – no account, app download, or sign-up required. It works in any browser on desktop and mobile.