Preston, MD Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Preston, Caroline County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for PrestonWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Preston?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 99 days in the Caroline forecast zone and Caroline County — the most common reported hazard around Preston, mostly in July and June. Next come excessive heat (80 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (52 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds99Jun 2026Jul 12, 2022 · 1 death
Excessive heat80Jul 2025Jul 4, 2012 · 2 deaths
Heavy snow & winter storms52Feb 2026Feb 16, 2003 · $200,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill25Feb 2015—
High winds23Feb 2019Feb 15, 2015 · $13,000 damage
Flash flooding17Aug 2018Jun 25, 2006 · $5.0 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage8May 2022May 13, 2000 · $28,000 damage
Coastal flooding7Oct 2025—

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 Caroline forecast zone and Caroline County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Preston?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDOX (Dover AFB, DE), about 26 miles east-northeast. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over PrestonView
KDOX
Dover AFB, DE		26 mi east-northeast1,600 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KLWX
Sterling, MD		87 mi west-northwest7,800 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KDIX
Philadelphia, NJ		117 mi northeast12,200 ftLimited — 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 Preston

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 48 tornadoes within 25 miles of Preston, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and April. The strongest was an EF3 on April 1, 2023, which passed about 15 miles east-northeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on May 16, 2025, which passed about 12 miles south-southeast of town.

Hail: 76 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 1, 1993.

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 Preston'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.

Preston radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Preston, MD?

KDOX (Dover AFB, DE), about 26 miles east-northeast. KLWX (Sterling, MD) is 87 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Preston?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Preston the lowest scan from KDOX is about 1,600 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Preston 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 Preston, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

Radar for nearby towns

All Maryland towns →