Packanack Lake, NJ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Packanack Lake, Passaic County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Packanack Lake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 87 days in the Eastern Passaic forecast zone and Passaic County — the most common reported hazard around Packanack Lake, mostly in July and August. Next come flash flooding (70 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (58 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 87 | Jun 2026 | May 14, 2017 · 1 death · $2,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 70 | Oct 2025 | Sep 16, 1999 · 1 death · $6.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 58 | Feb 2026 | Jan 23, 2016 · 3 deaths |
| Flooding | 33 | Jul 2017 | Mar 14, 2010 · $3.0 million damage |
| High winds | 17 | Dec 2020 | Oct 29, 2012 · 4 deaths · $900,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Jul 2021 | Sep 8, 2007 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 9 | Jun 2025 | Jul 4, 2010 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Jan 2004 | — |
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 Eastern Passaic forecast zone and Passaic County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Packanack Lake get?
A normal year brings about 28 inches of snow to Packanack Lake, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Harrison weather station 14.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.3 | 5.9 | 8.0 | 8.4 | 4.7 | 0.7 | 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 Packanack Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ), about 69 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 Packanack Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDIX Philadelphia, NJ | 69 mi south | 5,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 73 mi east | 6,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KENX Albany, NY | 114 mi north | 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 Packanack Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 50 tornadoes within 25 miles of Packanack Lake, 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 25 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 26, 2023, which touched down about 22 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 199 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 Packanack Lake'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.
Packanack Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Packanack Lake, NJ?
KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ), about 69 miles south. KOKX (Upton, NY) is 73 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Packanack Lake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Packanack Lake the lowest scan from KDIX is about 5,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Packanack Lake 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 Packanack Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.