Essex Fells, NJ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Essex Fells, Essex County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Essex Fells?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 71 days in the Western Essex forecast zone and Essex County — the most common reported hazard around Essex Fells, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (68 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 71 | Jun 2026 | Jun 26, 2024 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 68 | Aug 2025 | Sep 1, 2021 · 2 deaths |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 29 | Feb 2026 | Jan 25, 2026 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 23 | Nov 2016 | Apr 15, 2007 · 1 death · $4.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 20 | Jun 2025 | Jul 26, 2009 · 1 death · $1,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Jul 2019 | — |
| High winds | 7 | Mar 2024 | Oct 29, 2012 · $900,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 2 | Jan 2016 | — |
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 Western Essex forecast zone and Essex County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Essex Fells get?
A normal year brings about 24 inches of snow to Essex Fells, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Canoe Brook weather station 7.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.7 | 4.1 | 5.8 | 8.4 | 4.6 | 0.4 | 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 Essex Fells?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ), about 61 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 Essex Fells | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDIX Philadelphia, NJ | 61 mi south | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 74 mi east | 6,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KENX Albany, NY | 122 mi north | 13,100 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 Essex Fells
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 60 tornadoes within 25 miles of Essex Fells, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and October. The strongest was an F3 on May 28, 1973, which touched down about 23 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 26, 2023, which touched down about 17 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 201 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on July 11, 1995.
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 Essex Fells'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.
Essex Fells radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Essex Fells, NJ?
KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ), about 61 miles south. KOKX (Upton, NY) is 74 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Essex Fells?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Essex Fells the lowest scan from KDIX is about 4,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Essex Fells 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 Essex Fells, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.