Laurel, DE Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Laurel, Sussex County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

What weather hits Laurel?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 171 days in the Inland Sussex forecast zone and Sussex County — the most common reported hazard around Laurel, mostly in June and July. Next come excessive heat (77 days) and coastal flooding (61 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds171Jun 2026Jun 4, 2008 · $250,000 damage
Excessive heat77Jun 2025Jul 4, 1999 · 2 deaths
Coastal flooding61Feb 2026Nov 12, 2009 · $5.0 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage57Jun 2026Aug 30, 2003 · $800,000 damage
High winds56Feb 2025Oct 29, 2012 · $200,000 damage
Flash flooding46Jul 2025Aug 11, 2001 · $1.1 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms43Feb 2025Feb 9, 2010 · 1 death · $1.5 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill26Feb 2015Feb 6, 2007 · 1 death

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 Inland Sussex forecast zone and Sussex County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Laurel?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDOX (Dover AFB, DE), about 19 miles north-northeast. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over LaurelView
KDOX
Dover AFB, DE
19 mi north-northeast1,100 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KLWX
Sterling, MD
107 mi west-northwest10,600 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KDIX
Philadelphia, NJ
114 mi north-northeast11,700 ftLimited — 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 Laurel

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 50 tornadoes within 25 miles of Laurel, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and July. The strongest was an EF3 on April 1, 2023, which passed about 13 miles north-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on June 30, 2025, which touched down about 20 miles east of town.

Hail: 80 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 1, 1993.

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 Laurel'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.

Laurel radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Laurel, DE?

KDOX (Dover AFB, DE), about 19 miles north-northeast. KLWX (Sterling, MD) is 107 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Laurel?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Laurel the lowest scan from KDOX is about 1,100 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Laurel 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 Laurel, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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