Nantucket, MA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Nantucket, Nantucket County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Nantucket?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 108 days in the Nantucket forecast zone and Nantucket County — the most common reported hazard around Nantucket, mostly in December and January. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (32 days) and coastal flooding (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 108 | Apr 2024 | Dec 9, 2005 · $80,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 32 | Feb 2026 | Jan 7, 1996 · $400,000 damage |
| Coastal flooding | 28 | Dec 2022 | Oct 29, 2012 · $139,000 damage |
| Flooding | 7 | May 2020 | Oct 25, 2005 · $10,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 7 | Feb 2016 | Mar 26, 2014 · $30,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 7 | Sep 2019 | Sep 21, 2017 · $70,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 5 | Aug 2023 | Aug 13, 2023 · $3,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Aug 2023 | Apr 28, 2017 · $10,000 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 Nantucket forecast zone and Nantucket County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Nantucket?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBOX (Boston, MA), about 72 miles 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 Nantucket | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBOX Boston, MA | 72 mi northwest | 5,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 147 mi west | 17,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGYX Portland, ME | 181 mi north | 24,800 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 Nantucket
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Nantucket, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. The strongest was an F2 on December 18, 1951, which touched down about 24 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 1 report of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.00-inch hail on July 2, 2009.
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 Nantucket'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.
Nantucket radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Nantucket, MA?
KBOX (Boston, MA), about 72 miles northwest. KOKX (Upton, NY) is 147 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Nantucket?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Nantucket the lowest scan from KBOX is about 5,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Nantucket 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 Nantucket, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Barnstable Town, MA radar 30 mi
- New Bedford, MA radar 51 mi
- Fall River, MA radar 60 mi