Ellsworth, ME Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ellsworth, Hancock County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ellsworth?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 120 days in the Interior Hancock forecast zone and Hancock County — the most common reported hazard around Ellsworth, mostly in February and January. Next come high winds (65 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (25 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 120 | Feb 2026 | — |
| High winds | 65 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 25 | Jun 2024 | — |
| Excessive heat | 23 | Aug 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Feb 2023 | — |
| Flooding | 17 | Dec 2023 | Sep 7, 2008 · $450,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 12 | Jan 2022 | — |
| Flash flooding | 11 | Oct 2023 | Jun 9, 2021 · $615,000 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 Interior Hancock forecast zone and Hancock County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Ellsworth?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGYX (Portland, ME), about 100 miles west-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 Ellsworth | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGYX Portland, ME | 100 mi west-southwest | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCBW Caribou, ME | 106 mi north-northeast | 10,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBOX Boston, MA | 225 mi southwest | 35,800 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 Ellsworth
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 3 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ellsworth. Most came in August and July. The strongest was an F1 on August 17, 1959, which touched down about 18 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an F1 on August 14, 1977, which touched down about 22 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 26 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on August 2, 2005.
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 Ellsworth'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.
Ellsworth radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ellsworth, ME?
KGYX (Portland, ME), about 100 miles west-southwest. KCBW (Caribou, ME) is 106 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ellsworth?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ellsworth the lowest scan from KGYX is about 9,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Ellsworth 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 Ellsworth, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Brewer, ME radar 19 mi
- Bangor, ME radar 23 mi
- Old Town, ME radar 29 mi
- Belfast, ME radar 29 mi
- Rockland, ME radar 45 mi
- Waterville, ME radar 58 mi