Island Falls, ME Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Island Falls, Aroostook County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Island Falls?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 160 days in the Southeast Aroostook forecast zone and Aroostook County — the most common reported hazard around Island Falls, mostly in January and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (138 days) and flooding (59 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 160 | Mar 2025 | Jan 13, 2002 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 138 | May 2026 | Jul 17, 2025 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 59 | Mar 2026 | Apr 15, 2014 · 1 death · $80,000 damage |
| High winds | 36 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 36 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 36 | Jun 2023 | Aug 10, 2003 · $150,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 10 | Aug 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 8 | Jan 2022 | — |
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 Southeast Aroostook forecast zone and Aroostook County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Island Falls?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCBW (Caribou, ME), about 22 miles east. 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 Island Falls | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCBW Caribou, ME | 22 mi east | 1,300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGYX Portland, ME | 176 mi southwest | 23,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCXX Burlington, VT | 260 mi west-southwest | 45,800 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 Island Falls
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 9 tornadoes within 25 miles of Island Falls, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F2 on June 30, 1971, which passed about 10 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on August 5, 2017, which touched down about 8 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 30 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on August 4, 2015.
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 Island Falls'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.
Island Falls radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Island Falls, ME?
KCBW (Caribou, ME), about 22 miles east. KGYX (Portland, ME) is 176 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Island Falls?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Island Falls the lowest scan from KCBW is about 1,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Island Falls 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 Island Falls, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Presque Isle, ME radar 49 mi
- Caribou, ME radar 59 mi