Madison, ME Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Madison, Somerset County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Madison?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 150 days in the Southern Somerset forecast zone and Somerset County — the most common reported hazard around Madison, mostly in January and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (99 days) and flooding (95 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 150 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 99 | Aug 2024 | — |
| Flooding | 95 | Apr 2024 | Dec 18, 2023 · $10 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 24 | Feb 2023 | — |
| Flash flooding | 24 | Jul 2025 | Jun 28, 2016 · $400,000 damage |
| High winds | 19 | Dec 2023 | Dec 18, 2023 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | Aug 2009 | Oct 20, 2006 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Dec 2008 | Jan 5, 1998 · $6.0 million 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 Southern Somerset forecast zone and Somerset County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Madison get?
A normal year brings about 74 inches of snow to Madison, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Madison weather station 2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (19.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 3.4 | 15.9 | 18.6 | 19.2 | 12.6 | 4.1 | 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 Madison?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGYX (Portland, ME), about 66 miles south-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 Madison | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGYX Portland, ME | 66 mi south-southwest | 5,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCBW Caribou, ME | 131 mi northeast | 14,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCXX Burlington, VT | 164 mi west | 21,100 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 Madison
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 18 tornadoes within 25 miles of Madison, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F2 on November 7, 1971, which passed about 6 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 15, 2014, which touched down about 23 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 73 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on June 1, 2011.
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 Madison'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.
Madison radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Madison, ME?
KGYX (Portland, ME), about 66 miles south-southwest. KCBW (Caribou, ME) is 131 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Madison?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Madison the lowest scan from KGYX is about 5,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Madison 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 Madison, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Waterville, ME radar 20 mi
- Augusta, ME radar 33 mi
- Hallowell, ME radar 36 mi
- Gardiner, ME radar 42 mi
- Belfast, ME radar 48 mi
- Bangor, ME radar 52 mi
- Lewiston, ME radar 52 mi
- Auburn, ME radar 54 mi
- Brewer, ME radar 55 mi
- Old Town, ME radar 55 mi