Riva, MD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Riva, Anne Arundel County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Riva?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 239 days in the Anne Arundel forecast zone and Anne Arundel County — the most common reported hazard around Riva, mostly in July and June. Next come coastal flooding (74 days) and excessive heat (69 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 239 | Jun 2026 | Jun 30, 2024 · 1 death · $300,000 damage |
| Coastal flooding | 74 | Oct 2025 | Jan 9, 2024 · $80,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 69 | Jun 2025 | Jul 17, 2018 · 2 deaths |
| Flooding | 61 | Jul 2025 | Sep 7, 2011 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 53 | Jul 2025 | Jan 31, 2013 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 45 | Jan 2026 | Jan 25, 2000 · 1 death |
| High winds | 34 | Feb 2026 | Oct 29, 2012 · 2 deaths · $2.2 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 31 | Aug 2018 | Jul 25, 2010 · 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 Anne Arundel forecast zone and Anne Arundel County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Riva get?
A normal year brings about 16 inches of snow to Riva, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Upper Marlboro 3 Nnw weather station 11.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.2 | 5.7 | 6.3 | 1.7 | 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 Riva?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 48 miles west. 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 Riva | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 48 mi west | 3,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 62 mi east | 4,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDIX Philadelphia, NJ | 135 mi east-northeast | 15,400 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 Riva
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 96 tornadoes within 25 miles of Riva, 8 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F3 on September 24, 2001, which passed about 19 miles west-northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 31, 2025, which touched down about 6 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 237 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 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 Riva'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.
Riva radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Riva, MD?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 48 miles west. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 62 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Riva?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Riva the lowest scan from KLWX is about 3,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Riva 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 Riva, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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