Hillcrest Heights, MD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hillcrest Heights, Prince Georges County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hillcrest Heights?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 227 days in the Prince Georges forecast zone and Prince Georges County — the most common reported hazard around Hillcrest Heights, mostly in July and June. Next come excessive heat (72 days) and flooding (72 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 227 | Jun 2026 | Jun 11, 2026 · 1 death · $1,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 72 | Jun 2025 | Aug 1, 2002 · 2 deaths |
| Flooding | 72 | Jan 2024 | Oct 8, 2005 · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 62 | Jul 2025 | Jun 25, 2006 · $2.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 45 | Jan 2026 | Feb 14, 2003 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 17 | Feb 2026 | Oct 29, 2012 · $3.1 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Feb 2026 | Mar 11, 1998 · $3,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 11 | Jun 2007 | Jun 27, 2007 · 1 death |
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 Prince Georges forecast zone and Prince Georges County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Hillcrest Heights get?
A normal year brings about 14 inches of snow to Hillcrest Heights, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Washington Reagan Ap weather station 3.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (5.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.7 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 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 Hillcrest Heights?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 29 miles west-northwest. 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 Hillcrest Heights | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 29 mi west-northwest | 1,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 82 mi east | 7,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 128 mi south | 14,100 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 Hillcrest Heights
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 114 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hillcrest Heights, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on April 28, 2002, which passed about 21 miles south of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 18, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 430 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 28, 2002.
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 Hillcrest Heights'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.
Hillcrest Heights radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hillcrest Heights, MD?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 29 miles west-northwest. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 82 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hillcrest Heights?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hillcrest Heights the lowest scan from KLWX is about 1,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Hillcrest Heights 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 Hillcrest Heights, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.