Watertown, MA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Watertown, Middlesex County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Watertown?
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 Watertown, 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 Watertown get?
A normal year brings about 49 inches of snow to Watertown, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Boston Logan Intl Ap weather station 8.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (14.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.7 | 9.0 | 14.3 | 14.4 | 9.0 | 1.6 | 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 Watertown?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBOX (Boston, MA), about 29 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 Watertown | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBOX Boston, MA | 29 mi south | 1,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGYX Portland, ME | 115 mi north-northeast | 11,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 136 mi southwest | 15,400 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 Watertown
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 52 tornadoes within 25 miles of Watertown, 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 18 miles west-southwest of town and caused 94 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on September 6, 2025, which touched down about 24 miles west of town.
Hail: 170 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 Watertown'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.
Watertown radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Watertown, MA?
KBOX (Boston, MA), about 29 miles south. KGYX (Portland, ME) is 115 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Watertown?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Watertown the lowest scan from KBOX is about 1,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Watertown 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 Watertown, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Newton, MA radar 3 mi
- Cambridge, MA radar 3 mi
- Waltham, MA radar 4 mi
- Somerville, MA radar 4 mi
- Medford, MA radar 5 mi
- Everett, MA radar 7 mi
- Malden, MA radar 7 mi
- Chelsea, MA radar 8 mi
- Woburn, MA radar 8 mi
- Boston, MA radar 8 mi