Chester, MA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Chester, Hampden County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Chester?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 177 days in the Western Hampden forecast zone and Hampden County — the most common reported hazard around Chester, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (95 days) and flooding (52 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 177 | Jun 2026 | Jul 26, 2011 · $1.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 95 | Feb 2026 | Dec 7, 1996 · $1.4 million damage |
| Flooding | 52 | Jun 2024 | Aug 28, 2011 · $1.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 30 | Jun 2026 | May 29, 2012 · $165,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 30 | Jul 2025 | Aug 5, 2008 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 11 | Apr 2020 | Nov 13, 2003 · $50,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 2019 | Dec 11, 2008 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 1 | Feb 2016 | — |
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 Western Hampden forecast zone and Hampden County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Chester get?
A normal year brings about 77 inches of snow to Chester, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Worthington weather station 7.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (19.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 4.6 | 16.7 | 19.3 | 18.2 | 13.8 | 4.0 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Chester?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KENX (Albany, NY), about 59 miles west-northwest. 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 Chester | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KENX Albany, NY | 59 mi west-northwest | 4,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KBOX Boston, MA | 97 mi east-southeast | 9,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 98 mi south | 9,300 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 Chester
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 49 tornadoes within 25 miles of Chester, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on August 28, 1973, which passed about 20 miles west of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 28, 2022, which passed about 23 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 201 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on June 1, 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 Chester'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.
Chester radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Chester, MA?
KENX (Albany, NY), about 59 miles west-northwest. KBOX (Boston, MA) is 97 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Chester?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Chester the lowest scan from KENX is about 4,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Chester 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 Chester, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Westfield, MA radar 15 mi
- Easthampton, MA radar 16 mi
- Northampton, MA radar 16 mi
- Holyoke, MA radar 18 mi
- Pittsfield, MA radar 19 mi
- West Springfield Town, MA radar 20 mi
- Chicopee, MA radar 22 mi
- Agawam Town, MA radar 22 mi
- Amherst Town, MA radar 25 mi
- Springfield, MA radar 25 mi