Potomac Heights, MD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Potomac Heights, Charles County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Potomac Heights?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 207 days in the Charles forecast zone and Charles County — the most common reported hazard around Potomac Heights, mostly in July and June. Next come excessive heat (79 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (35 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 207 | Jun 2026 | Jun 15, 2000 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 79 | Jun 2025 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 35 | Jan 2026 | Feb 5, 2010 · $5,000 damage |
| Flooding | 30 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Flash flooding | 25 | Jun 2025 | Aug 25, 1999 · $200,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Feb 2026 | Mar 11, 1998 · $3,000 damage |
| High winds | 10 | Feb 2026 | Oct 29, 2012 · $969,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Jun 2008 | Jul 10, 2000 · $50,000 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 Charles forecast zone and Charles County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Potomac Heights get?
A normal year brings about 13 inches of snow to Potomac Heights, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Franconia 1.3 Sse weather station 10.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 2.2 | 4.8 | 3.5 | 2.8 | 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 Potomac Heights?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 32 miles 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 Potomac Heights | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 32 mi northwest | 2,000 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 93 mi east | 8,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 112 mi south | 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 Potomac Heights
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 105 tornadoes within 25 miles of Potomac Heights, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and September. The strongest was an F4 on April 28, 2002, which passed about 4 miles south of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 8, 2024, which passed about 24 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 337 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 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 Potomac 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.
Potomac Heights radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Potomac Heights, MD?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 32 miles northwest. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 93 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Potomac Heights?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Potomac Heights the lowest scan from KLWX is about 2,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Potomac 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 Potomac Heights, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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