Choptank, MD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Choptank, Caroline County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Choptank?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 99 days in the Caroline forecast zone and Caroline County — the most common reported hazard around Choptank, mostly in July and June. Next come excessive heat (80 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (52 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 99 | Jun 2026 | Jul 12, 2022 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 80 | Jul 2025 | Jul 4, 2012 · 2 deaths |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 52 | Feb 2026 | Feb 16, 2003 · $200,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 25 | Feb 2015 | — |
| High winds | 23 | Feb 2019 | Feb 15, 2015 · $13,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 17 | Aug 2018 | Jun 25, 2006 · $5.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | May 2022 | May 13, 2000 · $28,000 damage |
| Coastal flooding | 7 | Oct 2025 | — |
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 Caroline forecast zone and Caroline County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Choptank get?
A normal year brings about 14 inches of snow to Choptank, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Royal Oak 2 Ssw weather station 13.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 5.1 | 4.8 | 2.3 | 0.1 | 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 Choptank?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDOX (Dover AFB, DE), about 29 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 Choptank | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 29 mi east-northeast | 1,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 85 mi west-northwest | 7,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDIX Philadelphia, NJ | 120 mi northeast | 12,700 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 Choptank
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 45 tornadoes within 25 miles of Choptank, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and April. The strongest was an EF3 on April 1, 2023, which passed about 17 miles east-northeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on May 16, 2025, which passed about 11 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 72 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 1, 1993.
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 Choptank'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.
Choptank radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Choptank, MD?
KDOX (Dover AFB, DE), about 29 miles east-northeast. KLWX (Sterling, MD) is 85 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Choptank?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Choptank the lowest scan from KDOX is about 1,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Choptank 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 Choptank, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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