Orono, ME Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Orono, Penobscot County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Orono?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 129 days in the Southern Penobscot forecast zone and Penobscot County — the most common reported hazard around Orono, mostly in March and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (97 days) and high winds (71 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 129 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 97 | Jun 2026 | — |
| High winds | 71 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 43 | Apr 2024 | May 1, 2008 · $481,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 27 | Aug 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 19 | Jul 2024 | Jun 23, 2012 · $265,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Feb 2023 | — |
| Blizzards | 10 | 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 Southern Penobscot forecast zone and Penobscot County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Orono get?
A normal year brings about 75 inches of snow to Orono, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bangor Intl Ap weather station 8.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (18.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6 | 4.3 | 14.7 | 18.6 | 17.5 | 15.2 | 3.7 | 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 Orono?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCBW (Caribou, ME), about 91 miles north-northeast. 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 Orono | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCBW Caribou, ME | 91 mi north-northeast | 8,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGYX Portland, ME | 103 mi southwest | 10,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCXX Burlington, VT | 221 mi west | 34,700 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 Orono
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 6 tornadoes within 25 miles of Orono, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and July. The strongest was an F2 on August 16, 1959, which touched down about 13 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an F0 on August 27, 1997, which touched down about 23 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 45 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 19, 1995.
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 Orono'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.
Orono radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Orono, ME?
KCBW (Caribou, ME), about 91 miles north-northeast. KGYX (Portland, ME) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Orono?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Orono the lowest scan from KCBW is about 8,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Orono 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 Orono, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Old Town, ME radar 6 mi
- Bangor, ME radar 6 mi
- Brewer, ME radar 7 mi
- Ellsworth, ME radar 23 mi
- Belfast, ME radar 35 mi
- Waterville, ME radar 53 mi
- Rockland, ME radar 57 mi