Needham, MA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Needham, Norfolk County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Needham?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 104 days in the Western Norfolk forecast zone and Norfolk County — the most common reported hazard around Needham, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (88 days) and flooding (65 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 104 | May 2026 | Jul 18, 2016 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 88 | Jan 2026 | Feb 5, 2016 · 2 deaths · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 65 | Sep 2023 | Mar 14, 2010 · $17 million damage |
| High winds | 62 | Dec 2025 | Oct 29, 2012 · $120,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 45 | Jul 2023 | May 24, 2009 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jul 2025 | Jun 28, 2020 · $30 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 6 | Aug 2018 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 3 | Aug 2020 | Aug 28, 2011 · $3.5 million 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 Norfolk forecast zone and Norfolk County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Needham get?
A normal year brings about 46 inches of snow to Needham, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Natick weather station 5.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (13.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 1.1 | 11.5 | 13.8 | 8.9 | 8.2 | 2.2 | 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 Needham?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBOX (Boston, MA), about 23 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 Needham | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBOX Boston, MA | 23 mi south-southeast | 1,300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGYX Portland, ME | 122 mi north-northeast | 13,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 129 mi southwest | 14,200 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 Needham
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 58 tornadoes within 25 miles of Needham, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F4 on June 9, 1953, which passed about 14 miles west of town and caused 94 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on September 6, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 169 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 Needham'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.
Needham radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Needham, MA?
KBOX (Boston, MA), about 23 miles south-southeast. KGYX (Portland, ME) is 122 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Needham?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Needham the lowest scan from KBOX is about 1,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Needham 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 Needham, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Newton, MA radar 4 mi
- Watertown, MA radar 7 mi
- Waltham, MA radar 7 mi
- Cambridge, MA radar 9 mi
- Framingham, MA radar 10 mi
- Somerville, MA radar 10 mi
- Medford, MA radar 12 mi
- Quincy, MA radar 12 mi
- Randolph Town, MA radar 12 mi
- Boston, MA radar 12 mi