Fords, NJ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fords, Middlesex County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fords?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 126 days in the Middlesex forecast zone and Middlesex County — the most common reported hazard around Fords, mostly in July and June. Next come excessive heat (95 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (69 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 126 | May 2026 | Sep 7, 1998 · $1.9 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 95 | Jul 2025 | Jul 4, 1999 · 4 deaths |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 69 | Jan 2026 | Feb 16, 2003 · 1 death · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 67 | Jul 2025 | Sep 1, 2021 · 3 deaths · $50 million damage |
| Coastal flooding | 46 | Mar 2024 | Oct 29, 2012 · $500 million damage |
| High winds | 41 | Dec 2020 | Oct 29, 2012 · 6 deaths · $129 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 38 | Jul 2024 | Jun 11, 2001 · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 30 | Dec 2023 | Aug 28, 2011 · 1 death · $50 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 Middlesex forecast zone and Middlesex County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Fords get?
A normal year brings about 21 inches of snow to Fords, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Plainfield weather station 6.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.2 | 2.4 | 5.1 | 8.3 | 5.3 | 0.1 | 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 Fords?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ), about 41 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 Fords | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDIX Philadelphia, NJ | 41 mi south | 2,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 79 mi east-northeast | 6,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 132 mi south-southwest | 14,900 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 Fords
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 58 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fords, 9 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F3 on October 18, 1990, which touched down about 24 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 26, 2023, which touched down about 19 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 153 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on September 9, 2023.
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 Fords'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.
Fords radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fords, NJ?
KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ), about 41 miles south. KOKX (Upton, NY) is 79 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fords?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fords the lowest scan from KDIX is about 2,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Fords 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 Fords, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Perth Amboy, NJ radar 2 mi
- Metuchen, NJ radar 3 mi
- South Amboy, NJ radar 4 mi
- Sayreville, NJ radar 5 mi
- Rahway, NJ radar 5 mi
- Carteret, NJ radar 6 mi
- South Plainfield, NJ radar 6 mi
- Highland Park, NJ radar 6 mi
- South River, NJ radar 7 mi
- Linden, NJ radar 7 mi