Van Buren, ME Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Van Buren, Aroostook County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Van Buren?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 173 days in the Northeast Aroostook forecast zone and Aroostook County — the most common reported hazard around Van Buren, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (138 days) and flooding (65 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 173 | Apr 2026 | Jan 5, 1998 · $2.0 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 138 | May 2026 | Jul 17, 2025 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 65 | Mar 2026 | Apr 15, 2014 · 1 death · $80,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 43 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 37 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 36 | Jun 2023 | Aug 10, 2003 · $150,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 10 | Aug 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 10 | Jan 2018 | Feb 17, 2013 · 1 death |
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 Northeast Aroostook forecast zone and Aroostook County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Van Buren get?
A normal year brings about 97 inches of snow to Van Buren, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Van Buren 2 weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (24.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 7.4 | 20.7 | 24.5 | 20.0 | 17.5 | 5.7 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Van Buren?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCBW (Caribou, ME), about 78 miles south. 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 Van Buren | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCBW Caribou, ME | 78 mi south | 6,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGYX Portland, ME | 252 mi south-southwest | 43,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCXX Burlington, VT | 311 mi southwest | 62,700 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 Van Buren
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 14 tornadoes within 25 miles of Van Buren, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F2 on August 11, 1954, which touched down about 11 miles south-southwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on July 18, 2016, which touched down about 22 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 51 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 August 15, 1958.
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 Van Buren'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.
Van Buren radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Van Buren, ME?
KCBW (Caribou, ME), about 78 miles south. KGYX (Portland, ME) is 252 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Van Buren?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Van Buren the lowest scan from KCBW is about 6,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Van Buren 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 Van Buren, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Caribou, ME radar 23 mi
- Presque Isle, ME radar 33 mi