McCarthy, AK Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for McCarthy, Copper River County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
How much snow does McCarthy get?
A normal year brings about 67 inches of snow to McCarthy, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mccarthy 3 Sw weather station 5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually November (13.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.4 | 13.5 | 11.3 | 13.2 | 7.9 | 5.4 | 2.5 | 0.6 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover McCarthy?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is PAIH (Middleton Island, AK), about 181 miles southwest. 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over McCarthy | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAIH Middleton Island, AK | 181 mi southwest | 24,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| PAPD Pedro Dome, AK | 286 mi north-northwest | 54,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| PAHG Kenai, AK | 288 mi west | 54,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
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 McCarthy
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of McCarthy since 1950.
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 McCarthy'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.
McCarthy radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to McCarthy, AK?
PAIH (Middleton Island, AK), about 181 miles southwest. PAPD (Pedro Dome, AK) is 286 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near McCarthy?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over McCarthy the lowest scan from PAIH is about 24,800 ft up — limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms.
Is TALON's radar for McCarthy 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 McCarthy, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.