Sanford, ME Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sanford, York County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sanford?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 159 days in the Interior York forecast zone and York County — the most common reported hazard around Sanford, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (105 days) and lightning casualties & damage (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 159 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 105 | Jun 2026 | Sep 9, 2006 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 34 | Jun 2013 | Jun 24, 2002 · $110,000 damage |
| High winds | 26 | Dec 2023 | Feb 17, 2006 · $30,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Feb 2023 | — |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Jan 2024 | Oct 20, 1996 · $10 million damage |
| Flooding | 15 | Apr 2024 | Apr 16, 2007 · 2 deaths · $25 million damage |
| Storm surge | 7 | Mar 2001 | Oct 20, 1996 · $350,000 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 Interior York forecast zone and York County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Sanford?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGYX (Portland, ME), about 41 miles 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 Sanford | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGYX Portland, ME | 41 mi northeast | 2,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KBOX Boston, MA | 103 mi south | 10,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCXX Burlington, VT | 141 mi west-northwest | 16,500 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 Sanford
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 23 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sanford, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an EF2 on July 24, 2008, which passed about 20 miles west-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on July 28, 2014, which touched down about 17 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 143 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 5 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on July 19, 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 Sanford'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.
Sanford radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sanford, ME?
KGYX (Portland, ME), about 41 miles northeast. KBOX (Boston, MA) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sanford?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sanford the lowest scan from KGYX is about 2,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sanford 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 Sanford, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Biddeford, ME radar 18 mi
- Saco, ME radar 18 mi
- South Portland, ME radar 28 mi
- Westbrook, ME radar 28 mi
- Portland, ME radar 32 mi
- Auburn, ME radar 52 mi
- Lewiston, ME radar 54 mi
- Bath, ME radar 58 mi