California, MD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for California, St. Marys County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits California?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 157 days in the St. Marys forecast zone and St. Marys County — the most common reported hazard around California, mostly in June and July. Next come excessive heat (80 days) and coastal flooding (70 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 157 | Jun 2026 | Jul 29, 2023 · $5.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 80 | Jun 2025 | Jul 20, 1998 · 2 deaths |
| Coastal flooding | 70 | May 2024 | Feb 4, 1998 · $250,000 damage |
| Flooding | 47 | Dec 2023 | May 11, 2008 · $20,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 41 | Feb 2026 | Feb 5, 2010 · $5,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 35 | Jul 2022 | Sep 16, 1999 · $500,000 damage |
| High winds | 17 | Feb 2026 | Sep 1, 2006 · $3.3 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Feb 2026 | Mar 11, 1998 · $3,000 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 St. Marys forecast zone and St. Marys County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does California get?
A normal year brings about 13 inches of snow to California, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Patuxent River Nas weather station 4.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 3.9 | 6.0 | 1.3 | 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 California?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDOX (Dover AFB, DE), about 68 miles east-northeast. 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 California | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 68 mi east-northeast | 5,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 71 mi northwest | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 95 mi south-southwest | 8,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 California
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 69 tornadoes within 25 miles of California, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 28, 2002, which passed about 13 miles north of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on July 1, 2025, which touched down about 9 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 106 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 16, 2022.
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 California'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.
California radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to California, MD?
KDOX (Dover AFB, DE), about 68 miles east-northeast. KLWX (Sterling, MD) is 71 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in California?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over California the lowest scan from KDOX is about 5,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for California 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 California, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Leonardtown, MD radar 8 mi
- Chesapeake Beach, MD radar 27 mi
- North Beach, MD radar 28 mi
- Cambridge, MD radar 29 mi
- La Plata, MD radar 31 mi
- Trappe, MD radar 35 mi
- St. Michaels, MD radar 37 mi
- Easton, MD radar 40 mi
- Hurlock, MD radar 41 mi
- Crisfield, MD radar 41 mi