Paterson, NJ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Paterson, Passaic County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Paterson?
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 Paterson, 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 Paterson get?
A normal year brings about 28 inches of snow to Paterson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Harrison weather station 11.5 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 Paterson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOKX (Upton, NY), about 68 miles east. 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 Paterson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOKX Upton, NY | 68 mi east | 5,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDIX Philadelphia, NJ | 68 mi south | 5,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KENX Albany, NY | 116 mi north | 12,000 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 Paterson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 57 tornadoes within 25 miles of Paterson, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F3 on May 28, 1973, which touched down about 19 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 26, 2023, which touched down about 25 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 209 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 8 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on August 1, 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 Paterson'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.
Paterson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Paterson, NJ?
KOKX (Upton, NY), about 68 miles east. KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ) is 68 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Paterson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Paterson the lowest scan from KOKX is about 5,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Paterson 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 Paterson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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