Onset, MA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Onset, Plymouth County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Onset?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 97 days in the Southern Plymouth forecast zone and Plymouth County — the most common reported hazard around Onset, mostly in July and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (55 days) and flooding (49 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 97 | Aug 2025 | Jun 22, 1997 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 55 | Feb 2026 | Jan 7, 1996 · $1.2 million damage |
| Flooding | 49 | Jan 2024 | Mar 14, 2010 · $16 million damage |
| High winds | 46 | Dec 2025 | Oct 26, 2021 · $400,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 40 | May 2024 | Sep 8, 2010 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jul 2025 | Jul 12, 2019 · $70,000 damage |
| Coastal flooding | 8 | Dec 2023 | Oct 29, 2012 · $322,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 4 | Aug 2021 | Aug 28, 2011 · $1.0 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 Southern Plymouth forecast zone and Plymouth County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Onset get?
A normal year brings about 37 inches of snow to Onset, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the E Wareham weather station 1.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (12.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.2 | 6.3 | 12.9 | 9.2 | 7.3 | 1.3 | 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 Onset?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBOX (Boston, MA), about 28 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 Onset | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBOX Boston, MA | 28 mi west-northwest | 1,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 129 mi west-southwest | 14,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGYX Portland, ME | 150 mi north | 18,100 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 Onset
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 19 tornadoes within 25 miles of Onset, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and September. The strongest was an F2 on August 28, 1970, which touched down about 16 miles southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on August 8, 2023, which touched down about 9 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 52 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 5 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.25-inch hail on August 16, 2008.
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 Onset'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.
Onset radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Onset, MA?
KBOX (Boston, MA), about 28 miles west-northwest. KOKX (Upton, NY) is 129 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Onset?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Onset the lowest scan from KBOX is about 1,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Onset 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 Onset, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Attleboro, MA radar 35 mi
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- Randolph Town, MA radar 36 mi
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