Manchester, MD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Manchester, Carroll County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Manchester?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 166 days in the Carroll forecast zone and Carroll County — the most common reported hazard around Manchester, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (80 days) and flash flooding (46 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 166 | Jun 2026 | Jul 8, 2014 · 1 death · $500 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 80 | Feb 2026 | Jan 12, 1996 · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 46 | Jul 2025 | Jul 31, 2025 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 42 | Aug 2024 | Jun 10, 2021 · $5,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 37 | Jun 2025 | Jul 18, 2006 · 1 death |
| High winds | 23 | Feb 2026 | Oct 29, 2012 · $626,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 18 | Feb 2026 | Mar 11, 1998 · $3,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Aug 2021 | May 31, 2003 · $200,000 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 Carroll forecast zone and Carroll County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Manchester get?
A normal year brings about 34 inches of snow to Manchester, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Millers 4 Ne weather station 6.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (10.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.0 | 5.6 | 9.7 | 10.8 | 6.3 | 0.5 | 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 Manchester?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 57 miles 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 Manchester | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 57 mi southwest | 4,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 96 mi southeast | 9,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCCX State College, PA | 106 mi north-northwest | 10,500 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 Manchester
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 87 tornadoes within 25 miles of Manchester, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F3 on April 5, 1952, which passed about 11 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 5, 2024, which touched down about 6 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 189 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on June 23, 2015.
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 Manchester'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.
Manchester radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Manchester, MD?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 57 miles southwest. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 96 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Manchester?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Manchester the lowest scan from KLWX is about 4,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Manchester 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 Manchester, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hampstead, MD radar 3 mi
- Westminster, MD radar 8 mi
- New Windsor, MD radar 14 mi
- Taneytown, MD radar 15 mi
- Sykesville, MD radar 20 mi
- Emmitsburg, MD radar 23 mi
- Mount Airy, MD radar 24 mi
- Woodsboro, MD radar 24 mi
- New Market, MD radar 27 mi
- Thurmont, MD radar 28 mi