Portland, ME Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Portland, Cumberland County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Portland?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 145 days in the Coastal Cumberland forecast zone and Cumberland County — the most common reported hazard around Portland, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (100 days) and coastal flooding (56 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 145 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 100 | Sep 2025 | Jul 21, 2022 · 1 death · $300,000 damage |
| Coastal flooding | 56 | Mar 2024 | Jan 13, 2024 · $20 million damage |
| Flooding | 45 | Mar 2024 | Apr 16, 2007 · $8.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 38 | Jul 2014 | Jul 18, 2008 · 2 deaths |
| High winds | 27 | Jan 2024 | May 23, 2005 · $170,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 24 | Aug 2024 | Oct 21, 1996 · 1 death · $15 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Feb 2023 | — |
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 Coastal Cumberland forecast zone and Cumberland County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Portland get?
A normal year brings about 69 inches of snow to Portland, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Portland Intl Jetport weather station 5.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (18.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 2.3 | 14.6 | 18.6 | 16.6 | 13.6 | 2.8 | 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 Portland?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGYX (Portland, ME), about 18 miles north. 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 Portland | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGYX Portland, ME | 18 mi north | 1,000 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KBOX Boston, MA | 126 mi south-southwest | 13,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCXX Burlington, VT | 160 mi west-northwest | 20,200 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 Portland
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 10 tornadoes within 25 miles of Portland. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F1 on June 22, 1974, which touched down about 8 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 28, 2014, which touched down about 24 miles west of town.
Hail: 83 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on September 11, 2013.
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 Portland'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.
Portland radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Portland, ME?
KGYX (Portland, ME), about 18 miles north. KBOX (Boston, MA) is 126 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Portland?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Portland the lowest scan from KGYX is about 1,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Portland 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 Portland, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- South Portland, ME radar 5 mi
- Westbrook, ME radar 10 mi
- Saco, ME radar 14 mi
- Biddeford, ME radar 17 mi
- Bath, ME radar 27 mi
- Auburn, ME radar 31 mi
- Lewiston, ME radar 32 mi
- Sanford, ME radar 32 mi
- Gardiner, ME radar 43 mi
- Hallowell, ME radar 49 mi