Contoocook, NH Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Contoocook, Merrimack County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Contoocook?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 152 days in the Merrimack forecast zone and Merrimack County — the most common reported hazard around Contoocook, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (94 days) and flooding (53 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 152 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 94 | Jun 2026 | Jul 21, 2022 · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 53 | May 2025 | Feb 25, 2010 · $1.7 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 22 | Jun 2025 | Oct 20, 1996 · $2.2 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Feb 2023 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 19 | Jun 2025 | Jul 9, 1997 · $3.0 million damage |
| High winds | 18 | Oct 2017 | Oct 29, 2012 · $106,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 2008 | Jan 7, 1998 · $3.7 million 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 Merrimack forecast zone and Merrimack County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Contoocook get?
A normal year brings about 68 inches of snow to Contoocook, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Concord Muni Ap weather station 11 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (17.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 2.5 | 14.3 | 17.1 | 16.9 | 13.6 | 2.5 | 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 Contoocook?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGYX (Portland, ME), about 86 miles east-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 Contoocook | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGYX Portland, ME | 86 mi east-northeast | 7,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KBOX Boston, MA | 93 mi south-southeast | 8,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCXX Burlington, VT | 114 mi northwest | 11,800 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 Contoocook
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 22 tornadoes within 25 miles of Contoocook, 8 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an F3 on May 20, 1963, which passed about 16 miles southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 4, 2018, which passed about 4 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 120 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on June 9, 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 Contoocook'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.
Contoocook radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Contoocook, NH?
KGYX (Portland, ME), about 86 miles east-northeast. KBOX (Boston, MA) is 93 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Contoocook?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Contoocook the lowest scan from KGYX is about 7,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Contoocook 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 Contoocook, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Concord, NH radar 8 mi
- Franklin, NH radar 16 mi
- Manchester, NH radar 22 mi
- Laconia, NH radar 27 mi
- Claremont, NH radar 33 mi
- Nashua, NH radar 35 mi
- Keene, NH radar 36 mi
- Rochester, NH radar 37 mi
- Lebanon, NH radar 39 mi
- Somersworth, NH radar 42 mi