Methuen, MA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Methuen, Essex County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Methuen?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 110 days in the Western Essex forecast zone and Essex County — the most common reported hazard around Methuen, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (109 days) and flooding (56 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 110 | Sep 2025 | Jul 11, 2006 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 109 | Feb 2026 | Apr 1, 1997 · $2.5 million damage |
| Flooding | 56 | Aug 2023 | May 13, 2006 · 2 deaths · $7.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 37 | Jun 2023 | Sep 6, 2014 · 2 deaths |
| High winds | 32 | Mar 2025 | Feb 17, 2006 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 23 | Aug 2025 | Mar 22, 2001 · $10 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Jul 2018 | — |
| Blizzards | 3 | Jan 2022 | Mar 14, 2017 · $30,000 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 Western Essex forecast zone and Essex County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Methuen get?
A normal year brings about 58 inches of snow to Methuen, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Haverhill weather station 6.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (16.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.4 | 10.8 | 16.2 | 15.6 | 11.9 | 1.8 | 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 Methuen?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBOX (Boston, MA), about 54 miles south. 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 Methuen | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBOX Boston, MA | 54 mi south | 4,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGYX Portland, ME | 92 mi north-northeast | 8,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KENX Albany, NY | 147 mi west | 17,600 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 Methuen
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 45 tornadoes within 25 miles of Methuen, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F3 on October 3, 1970, which passed about 21 miles southwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on August 22, 2016, which touched down about 21 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 212 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on August 28, 1965.
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 Methuen'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.
Methuen radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Methuen, MA?
KBOX (Boston, MA), about 54 miles south. KGYX (Portland, ME) is 92 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Methuen?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Methuen the lowest scan from KBOX is about 4,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Methuen 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 Methuen, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Lawrence, MA radar 3 mi
- Haverhill, MA radar 5 mi
- Lowell, MA radar 10 mi
- Amesbury, MA radar 14 mi
- Newburyport, MA radar 16 mi
- Woburn, MA radar 18 mi
- Peabody, MA radar 18 mi
- Melrose, MA radar 21 mi
- Beverly, MA radar 21 mi
- Lynn, MA radar 22 mi