Crystal Lake, CT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Crystal Lake, Tolland County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Crystal Lake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 104 days in the Tolland forecast zone and Tolland County — the most common reported hazard around Crystal Lake, mostly in July and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (95 days) and high winds (16 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 104 | May 2026 | Jul 22, 2016 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 95 | Feb 2026 | Oct 29, 2011 · 1 death · $3.0 million damage |
| High winds | 16 | Apr 2020 | Oct 29, 2012 · 1 death · $439,000 damage |
| Flooding | 11 | Jul 2021 | Oct 15, 2005 · 1 death · $500,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | Jul 2025 | Jul 16, 2010 · $75,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Jul 2023 | Aug 22, 2021 · $60,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 4 | Aug 2021 | Aug 28, 2011 · $20 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Nov 2002 | Nov 16, 2002 · $500,000 damage |
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 Tolland forecast zone and Tolland County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Crystal Lake get?
A normal year brings about 39 inches of snow to Crystal Lake, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Storrs weather station 12.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (14.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.1 | 7.2 | 8.3 | 14.1 | 6.3 | 1.7 | 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 Crystal Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBOX (Boston, MA), about 64 miles east. 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 Crystal Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBOX Boston, MA | 64 mi east | 5,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 78 mi south-southwest | 6,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KENX Albany, NY | 97 mi west-northwest | 9,200 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 Crystal Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 55 tornadoes within 25 miles of Crystal Lake, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and June. The strongest was an F4 on October 3, 1979, which passed about 15 miles west of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 18, 2023, which touched down about 21 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 175 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 26, 2011.
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 Crystal Lake'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.
Crystal Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Crystal Lake, CT?
KBOX (Boston, MA), about 64 miles east. KOKX (Upton, NY) is 78 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Crystal Lake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Crystal Lake the lowest scan from KBOX is about 5,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hartford, CT radar 19 mi
- Danielson, CT radar 27 mi
- New Britain, CT radar 27 mi
- Middletown, CT radar 30 mi
- Norwich, CT radar 31 mi
- Jewett City, CT radar 31 mi
- Bristol, CT radar 34 mi
- Meriden, CT radar 35 mi
- Torrington, CT radar 39 mi
- Waterbury, CT radar 43 mi