Bethesda, MD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bethesda, Montgomery County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bethesda?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 277 days in the Central and Southeast Montgomery forecast zone and Montgomery County — the most common reported hazard around Bethesda, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (101 days) and flooding (87 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 277 | Jun 2026 | Jun 26, 2009 · 2 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 101 | Jul 2025 | Jun 27, 2015 · 2 deaths · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 87 | Jul 2025 | Nov 16, 2006 · $50,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 34 | May 2024 | Jul 25, 2010 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 23 | Jul 2024 | Jul 20, 2019 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 11 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 9 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Feb 2026 | — |
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 Central and Southeast Montgomery forecast zone and Montgomery County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bethesda get?
A normal year brings about 5.8 inches of snow to Bethesda, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Dalecarlia Rsvr weather station 3.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 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 Bethesda?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 20 miles west. 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 Bethesda | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 20 mi west | 1,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 91 mi east | 8,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 139 mi south | 16,000 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 Bethesda
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 111 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bethesda, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on September 24, 2001, which passed about 8 miles east-southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 18, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 505 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 29 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on July 2, 1968.
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 Bethesda'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.
Bethesda radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bethesda, MD?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 20 miles west. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 91 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bethesda?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bethesda the lowest scan from KLWX is about 1,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bethesda 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 Bethesda, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.