Bristol, CT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bristol, Hartford County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bristol?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 170 days in the Hartford forecast zone and Hartford County — the most common reported hazard around Bristol, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (88 days) and flooding (72 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 170 | Jun 2026 | Aug 2, 2018 · $5.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 88 | Feb 2026 | Oct 29, 2011 · $8.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 72 | Jun 2024 | Aug 28, 2011 · 1 death · $8.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 42 | Jul 2025 | Aug 22, 2021 · $600,000 damage |
| High winds | 34 | Dec 2025 | Feb 25, 1996 · 2 deaths · $500,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 25 | Aug 2025 | Jul 27, 2014 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 24 | Jul 2018 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Jan 2019 | — |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Hartford forecast zone and Hartford County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bristol get?
A normal year brings about 39 inches of snow to Bristol, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Burlington weather station 7.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (11.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6 | 0.8 | 8.3 | 11.1 | 11.8 | 5.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Bristol?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOKX (Upton, NY), about 57 miles south. 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 Bristol | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOKX Upton, NY | 57 mi south | 4,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KENX Albany, NY | 85 mi northwest | 7,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KBOX Boston, MA | 95 mi east-northeast | 8,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Bristol
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 62 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bristol, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on October 3, 1979, which passed about 20 miles northeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 21, 2024, which touched down about 8 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 156 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on June 20, 1995.
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 Bristol'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.
Bristol radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bristol, CT?
KOKX (Upton, NY), about 57 miles south. KENX (Albany, NY) is 85 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bristol?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bristol the lowest scan from KOKX is about 4,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bristol 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 Bristol, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- New Britain, CT radar 8 mi
- Waterbury, CT radar 10 mi
- Meriden, CT radar 13 mi
- Litchfield, CT radar 14 mi
- Torrington, CT radar 14 mi
- Naugatuck, CT radar 15 mi
- Hartford, CT radar 15 mi
- Middletown, CT radar 17 mi
- Ansonia, CT radar 24 mi
- New Haven, CT radar 26 mi