Rio Grande, NJ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rio Grande, Cape May County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rio Grande?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged dangerous heat on 68 days in the Cape May forecast zone and Cape May County — the most common reported hazard around Rio Grande, mostly in July and June. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (68 days) and coastal flooding (57 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive heat | 68 | Jun 2025 | Jul 18, 2005 · 2 deaths |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 68 | Mar 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · $750,000 damage |
| Coastal flooding | 57 | Feb 2026 | Oct 28, 2012 · $50 million damage |
| High winds | 49 | Apr 2021 | Oct 29, 2012 · $50 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 48 | Jan 2026 | Jan 7, 1996 · $600,000 damage |
| Flooding | 28 | Jul 2020 | Aug 28, 2011 · $5.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 27 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Storm surge | 24 | Aug 2011 | Feb 17, 2003 · $250,000 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 Cape May forecast zone and Cape May County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rio Grande get?
A normal year brings about 15 inches of snow to Rio Grande, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cape May 2 Nw weather station 5.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (5.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 4.5 | 5.7 | 2.5 | 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 Rio Grande?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDOX (Dover AFB, DE), about 33 miles west-southwest. 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 Rio Grande | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 33 mi west-southwest | 2,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDIX Philadelphia, NJ | 69 mi north-northeast | 5,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 140 mi west | 16,300 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 Rio Grande
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 16 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rio Grande, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and July. The strongest was an F2 on August 27, 1971, which crossed near town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 9, 2021, which touched down about 15 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 19 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on May 16, 2025.
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 Rio Grande'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.
Rio Grande radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rio Grande, NJ?
KDOX (Dover AFB, DE), about 33 miles west-southwest. KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ) is 69 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rio Grande?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rio Grande the lowest scan from KDOX is about 2,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rio Grande 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 Rio Grande, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Wildwood, NJ radar 4 mi
- Wildwood Crest, NJ radar 4 mi
- North Wildwood, NJ radar 4 mi
- Cape May, NJ radar 6 mi
- Avalon, NJ radar 9 mi
- Sea Isle City, NJ radar 13 mi
- Woodbine, NJ radar 15 mi
- Ocean City, NJ radar 23 mi
- Estell Manor, NJ radar 24 mi
- Somers Point, NJ radar 25 mi