Dawson, MD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dawson, Allegany County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dawson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 117 days in the Central and Eastern Allegany forecast zone and Allegany County — the most common reported hazard around Dawson, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (42 days) and flash flooding (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 117 | Jun 2026 | Apr 19, 2025 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Jan 2026 | Mar 6, 2013 · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 32 | May 2025 | Jan 19, 1996 · $7.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 30 | May 2025 | Sep 1, 2021 · $200,000 damage |
| High winds | 14 | Feb 2026 | Oct 29, 2012 · $452,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Aug 2021 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 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 Central and Eastern Allegany forecast zone and Allegany County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Dawson get?
A normal year brings about 34 inches of snow to Dawson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Keyser 2 Ssw weather station 5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (10.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.1 | 6.6 | 9.6 | 10.3 | 5.5 | 0.2 | 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 Dawson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 85 miles east-southeast. 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 Dawson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 85 mi east-southeast | 7,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 99 mi northwest | 9,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCCX State College, PA | 112 mi north-northeast | 11,400 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 Dawson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 22 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dawson, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 2, 1998, which passed about 12 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on August 31, 2024, which touched down about 18 miles north of town.
Hail: 111 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 5 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 26, 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 Dawson'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.
Dawson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dawson, MD?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 85 miles east-southeast. KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA) is 99 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dawson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dawson the lowest scan from KLWX is about 7,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Dawson 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 Dawson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Frostburg, MD radar 12 mi
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- Oakland, MD radar 25 mi
- Hancock, MD radar 45 mi
- Williamsport, MD radar 61 mi