Downsville, MD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Downsville, Washington County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Downsville?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 179 days in the Washington forecast zone and Washington County — the most common reported hazard around Downsville, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (75 days) and excessive heat (46 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 179 | Jun 2026 | Apr 19, 2025 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 75 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 46 | Jun 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 39 | May 2025 | Jan 19, 1996 · $15 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 31 | Jul 2024 | May 15, 2018 · $4.6 million damage |
| High winds | 26 | Feb 2025 | Oct 29, 2012 · $694,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Feb 2025 | Jan 15, 1998 · $10,000 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 Washington forecast zone and Washington County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Downsville?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 43 miles south-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 Downsville | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 43 mi south-southeast | 2,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KCCX State College, PA | 95 mi north | 8,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 136 mi east-southeast | 15,500 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 Downsville
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 69 tornadoes within 25 miles of Downsville, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F2 on September 17, 2004, which touched down about 17 miles southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on August 8, 2024, which touched down about 16 miles west of town.
Hail: 278 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on August 7, 2023.
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 Downsville'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.
Downsville radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Downsville, MD?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 43 miles south-southeast. KCCX (State College, PA) is 95 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Downsville?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Downsville the lowest scan from KLWX is about 2,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Downsville 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 Downsville, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Myersville, MD radar 13 mi
- Smithsburg, MD radar 14 mi
- Middletown, MD radar 16 mi
- Brunswick, MD radar 19 mi
- Thurmont, MD radar 21 mi
- Hancock, MD radar 22 mi