Durham, CT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Durham, Middlesex County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Durham?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 65 days in the Northern Middlesex forecast zone and Middlesex County — the most common reported hazard around Durham, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (63 days) and flash flooding (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 65 | Feb 2026 | Jan 19, 2019 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 63 | Jun 2026 | Jul 21, 2010 · $75,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 19 | Jul 2023 | Jul 8, 2011 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 16 | Dec 2025 | Oct 29, 2012 · $200,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Jun 2024 | May 10, 2000 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 12 | Mar 2010 | Mar 30, 2010 · $315,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Jul 2019 | — |
| Blizzards | 5 | Feb 2017 | — |
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 Northern Middlesex forecast zone and Middlesex County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Durham?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOKX (Upton, NY), about 43 miles south-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 Durham | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOKX Upton, NY | 43 mi south-southwest | 2,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KBOX Boston, MA | 87 mi east-northeast | 7,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KENX Albany, NY | 105 mi northwest | 10,300 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 Durham
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 43 tornadoes within 25 miles of Durham, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F4 on July 10, 1989, which passed about 13 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on November 13, 2021, which passed about 11 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 114 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 8 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 Durham'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.
Durham radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Durham, CT?
KOKX (Upton, NY), about 43 miles south-southwest. KBOX (Boston, MA) is 87 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Durham?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Durham the lowest scan from KOKX is about 2,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Durham 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 Durham, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Middletown, CT radar 6 mi
- Meriden, CT radar 7 mi
- New Britain, CT radar 15 mi
- New Haven, CT radar 17 mi
- Naugatuck, CT radar 19 mi
- Waterbury, CT radar 19 mi
- Bristol, CT radar 20 mi
- West Haven, CT radar 20 mi
- Hartford, CT radar 21 mi
- Ansonia, CT radar 22 mi