Hanscom AFB, MA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hanscom AFB, Middlesex County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hanscom AFB?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 175 days in the Central Middlesex County forecast zone and Middlesex County — the most common reported hazard around Hanscom AFB, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (111 days) and flooding (95 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 175 | Jun 2026 | Jul 18, 2012 · $350,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 111 | Jan 2026 | Jan 7, 1996 · $1.5 million damage |
| Flooding | 95 | Jan 2024 | Mar 14, 2010 · $26 million damage |
| High winds | 61 | Mar 2025 | Feb 17, 2006 · 1 death · $700,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 55 | Jul 2025 | Jun 27, 2000 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 38 | Jun 2025 | Jul 10, 2010 · $11 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Dec 2008 | Dec 11, 2008 · 1 death · $3.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 3 | Jun 2025 | — |
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 Central Middlesex County forecast zone and Middlesex County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Hanscom AFB get?
A normal year brings about 59 inches of snow to Hanscom AFB, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bedford weather station 1.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (16.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.9 | 13.2 | 16.1 | 12.5 | 12.9 | 2.3 | 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 Hanscom AFB?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBOX (Boston, MA), about 35 miles south-southeast. 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 Hanscom AFB | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBOX Boston, MA | 35 mi south-southeast | 2,300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGYX Portland, ME | 112 mi north-northeast | 11,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 137 mi southwest | 15,700 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 Hanscom AFB
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 51 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hanscom AFB, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F4 on June 9, 1953, which passed about 16 miles southwest of town and caused 94 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on September 6, 2025, which touched down about 20 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 200 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 11, 2006.
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 Hanscom AFB'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.
Hanscom AFB radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hanscom AFB, MA?
KBOX (Boston, MA), about 35 miles south-southeast. KGYX (Portland, ME) is 112 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hanscom AFB?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hanscom AFB the lowest scan from KBOX is about 2,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Hanscom AFB 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 Hanscom AFB, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Watertown, MA radar 8 mi
- Medford, MA radar 9 mi
- Newton, MA radar 9 mi
- Cambridge, MA radar 10 mi
- Somerville, MA radar 10 mi
- Melrose, MA radar 11 mi
- Malden, MA radar 11 mi
- Everett, MA radar 12 mi