Plainfield, NJ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Plainfield, Union County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Plainfield?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 92 days in the Western Union forecast zone and Union County — the most common reported hazard around Plainfield, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (69 days) and flooding (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 92 | Jun 2026 | Jul 3, 2025 · 2 deaths · $15,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 69 | Aug 2025 | Sep 1, 2021 · 4 deaths |
| Flooding | 34 | May 2019 | Apr 15, 2007 · $2.7 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 29 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Aug 2025 | Jun 25, 2019 · $20,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 6 | Jul 2019 | — |
| High winds | 4 | Dec 2025 | Oct 29, 2012 · 2 deaths |
| 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 Union forecast zone and Union County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Plainfield get?
A normal year brings about 21 inches of snow to Plainfield, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Plainfield weather station 1.1 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 Plainfield?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ), about 46 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 Plainfield | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDIX Philadelphia, NJ | 46 mi south | 3,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 83 mi east-northeast | 7,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 135 mi south-southwest | 15,400 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 Plainfield
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 59 tornadoes within 25 miles of Plainfield, 8 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 23 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 26, 2023, which touched down about 11 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 165 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 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 Plainfield'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.
Plainfield radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Plainfield, NJ?
KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ), about 46 miles south. KOKX (Upton, NY) is 83 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Plainfield?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Plainfield the lowest scan from KDIX is about 3,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Plainfield 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 Plainfield, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- North Plainfield, NJ radar 1 mi
- Watchung, NJ radar 2 mi
- Fanwood, NJ radar 2 mi
- South Plainfield, NJ radar 3 mi
- Dunellen, NJ radar 3 mi
- Westfield, NJ radar 5 mi
- Middlesex, NJ radar 5 mi
- Mountainside, NJ radar 5 mi
- Garwood, NJ radar 5 mi
- Metuchen, NJ radar 6 mi