Ellicott City, MD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ellicott City, Howard County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ellicott City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 155 days in the Central and Southeast Howard forecast zone and Howard County — the most common reported hazard around Ellicott City, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (48 days) and flooding (38 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 155 | May 2026 | Jun 8, 2022 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 48 | Jul 2025 | Jul 30, 2016 · 2 deaths · $22 million damage |
| Flooding | 38 | Jan 2024 | May 19, 2015 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 18 | Jul 2024 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 11 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Jun 2023 | Aug 3, 2002 · $500,000 damage |
| High winds | 5 | Feb 2019 | — |
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 Howard forecast zone and Howard County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ellicott City get?
A normal year brings about 29 inches of snow to Ellicott City, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Columbia 2.3 N weather station 3.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (10.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.2 | 4.1 | 9.0 | 10.0 | 5.2 | 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 Ellicott City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 41 miles west-southwest. 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 Ellicott City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 41 mi west-southwest | 2,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 81 mi east-southeast | 7,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCCX State College, PA | 129 mi north-northwest | 14,300 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 Ellicott City
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 121 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ellicott City, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on September 24, 2001, which passed about 3 miles south of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 18, 2025, which touched down about 17 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 380 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 18, 1970.
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 Ellicott City'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.
Ellicott City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ellicott City, MD?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 41 miles west-southwest. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 81 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ellicott City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ellicott City the lowest scan from KLWX is about 2,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ellicott City 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 Ellicott City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Sykesville, MD radar 10 mi
- Baltimore, MD radar 12 mi
- Laurel, MD radar 13 mi
- Mount Airy, MD radar 18 mi
- Greenbelt, MD radar 20 mi
- Berwyn Heights, MD radar 20 mi
- College Park, MD radar 20 mi
- Gaithersburg, MD radar 21 mi
- Kensington, MD radar 22 mi
- New Carrollton, MD radar 22 mi