Rangeley, ME Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rangeley, Franklin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rangeley?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 168 days in the Northern Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County — the most common reported hazard around Rangeley, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (53 days) and flash flooding (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 168 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 53 | Jul 2025 | Jul 5, 1999 · $40,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 27 | Jul 2024 | Mar 31, 1998 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 26 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 21 | Mar 2025 | Dec 18, 2023 · $1.7 million damage |
| High winds | 17 | Dec 2023 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | Jul 2014 | Jun 10, 2008 · $200,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 2 | Dec 1998 | — |
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 Northern Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rangeley get?
A normal year brings about 123 inches of snow to Rangeley, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rangeley weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (28.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 | 8.8 | 28.7 | 24.3 | 25.7 | 24.4 | 8.6 | 0.5 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Rangeley?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGYX (Portland, ME), about 77 miles south-southeast. 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 Rangeley | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGYX Portland, ME | 77 mi south-southeast | 6,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCXX Burlington, VT | 127 mi west-southwest | 14,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCBW Caribou, ME | 157 mi east-northeast | 19,500 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 Rangeley
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Rangeley. The strongest was an F1 on July 10, 1972, which touched down about 17 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 17 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 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 Rangeley'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.
Rangeley radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rangeley, ME?
KGYX (Portland, ME), about 77 miles south-southeast. KCXX (Burlington, VT) is 127 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rangeley?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rangeley the lowest scan from KGYX is about 6,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Rangeley 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 Rangeley, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Waterville, ME radar 57 mi