Highland Lakes, NJ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Highland Lakes, Sussex County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Highland Lakes?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 143 days in the Sussex forecast zone and Sussex County — the most common reported hazard around Highland Lakes, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (131 days) and excessive heat (52 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 143 | Jun 2026 | Aug 16, 1997 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 131 | Feb 2026 | Jan 22, 2005 · $1.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 52 | Jun 2025 | — |
| High winds | 46 | Feb 2026 | Mar 12, 2014 · 1 death · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 35 | Feb 2023 | Jan 28, 2005 · 2 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 30 | Jul 2023 | Aug 12, 2000 · $167 million damage |
| Flooding | 23 | Feb 2016 | Aug 28, 2011 · $13 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 21 | Jul 2025 | Jul 8, 2025 · 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 Sussex forecast zone and Sussex County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Highland Lakes get?
A normal year brings about 28 inches of snow to Highland Lakes, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Oak Ridge Rsvr weather station 9.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.2 | 3.9 | 9.6 | 7.7 | 5.3 | 1.4 | 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 Highland Lakes?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ), about 85 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 Highland Lakes | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDIX Philadelphia, NJ | 85 mi south | 7,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 86 mi east-southeast | 7,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KENX Albany, NY | 100 mi north-northeast | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Highland Lakes
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 25 tornadoes within 25 miles of Highland Lakes, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and April. The strongest was an F3 on May 31, 1998, which passed about 22 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF0 on August 19, 2021, which touched down about 18 miles south of town.
Hail: 133 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 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 Highland Lakes'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.
Highland Lakes radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Highland Lakes, NJ?
KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ), about 85 miles south. KOKX (Upton, NY) is 86 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Highland Lakes?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Highland Lakes the lowest scan from KDIX is about 7,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Highland Lakes 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 Highland Lakes, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hamburg, NJ radar 6 mi
- Franklin, NJ radar 8 mi
- Sussex, NJ radar 8 mi
- Ogdensburg, NJ radar 9 mi
- Ringwood, NJ radar 11 mi
- Bloomingdale, NJ radar 11 mi
- Wanaque, NJ radar 13 mi
- Butler, NJ radar 13 mi
- Kinnelon, NJ radar 14 mi
- Riverdale, NJ radar 14 mi