Sykesville, MD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sykesville, Carroll County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sykesville?
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 Sykesville, 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 Sykesville get?
A normal year brings about 29 inches of snow to Sykesville, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Columbia 2.3 N weather station 11.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (10.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.2 | 4.1 | 9.0 | 10.0 | 5.2 | 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 Sykesville?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 39 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 Sykesville | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 39 mi southwest | 2,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 90 mi east-southeast | 8,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCCX State College, PA | 120 mi north-northwest | 12,800 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 Sykesville
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 117 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sykesville, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on September 24, 2001, which passed about 12 miles southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 16, 2025, which passed about 20 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 304 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 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 Sykesville'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.
Sykesville radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sykesville, MD?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 39 miles southwest. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 90 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sykesville?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sykesville the lowest scan from KLWX is about 2,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sykesville 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 Sykesville, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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