Wakefield, MA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Wakefield, Middlesex County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Wakefield?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 175 days in the Southeast Middlesex forecast zone and Middlesex County — the most common reported hazard around Wakefield, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (95 days) and flooding (75 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 | 95 | Feb 2026 | Jan 7, 1996 · $1.4 million damage |
| Flooding | 75 | Jan 2024 | Mar 14, 2010 · $26 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 55 | Jul 2025 | Jun 27, 2000 · 1 death |
| High winds | 53 | Dec 2023 | Oct 29, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 38 | Jun 2025 | Jul 10, 2010 · $11 million damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 3 | Aug 2020 | Aug 28, 2011 · $1.2 million damage |
| Blizzards | 2 | Jan 2015 | — |
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 Southeast Middlesex forecast zone and Middlesex County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Wakefield get?
A normal year brings about 64 inches of snow to Wakefield, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Reading weather station 3.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (17.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.7 | 12.8 | 17.2 | 16.2 | 13.3 | 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 Wakefield?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBOX (Boston, MA), about 38 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 Wakefield | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBOX Boston, MA | 38 mi south | 2,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGYX Portland, ME | 104 mi north-northeast | 10,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 147 mi southwest | 17,500 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 Wakefield
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 37 tornadoes within 25 miles of Wakefield, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F3 on October 3, 1970, which passed about 24 miles west of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on September 6, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles west of town.
Hail: 155 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 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 Wakefield'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.
Wakefield radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Wakefield, MA?
KBOX (Boston, MA), about 38 miles south. KGYX (Portland, ME) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Wakefield?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Wakefield the lowest scan from KBOX is about 2,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Wakefield 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 Wakefield, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Melrose, MA radar 3 mi
- Woburn, MA radar 5 mi
- Malden, MA radar 5 mi
- Peabody, MA radar 5 mi
- Lynn, MA radar 6 mi
- Medford, MA radar 6 mi
- Everett, MA radar 7 mi
- Revere, MA radar 7 mi
- Chelsea, MA radar 8 mi
- Somerville, MA radar 8 mi