Somerset, NJ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Somerset, Somerset County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Somerset?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 150 days in the Somerset forecast zone and Somerset County — the most common reported hazard around Somerset, mostly in July and June. Next come flooding (128 days) and excessive heat (95 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 150 | Jun 2026 | Sep 7, 1998 · $2.7 million damage |
| Flooding | 128 | Jul 2025 | Aug 28, 2011 · $200 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 95 | Jul 2025 | Jul 4, 1999 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 82 | Feb 2026 | Mar 5, 2015 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 66 | Jul 2025 | Sep 1, 2021 · 3 deaths · $26 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 30 | Jul 2021 | Jul 26, 2009 · $1.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 29 | Dec 2022 | — |
| High winds | 29 | Feb 2019 | Oct 29, 2012 · $20 million 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 Somerset forecast zone and Somerset County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Somerset get?
A normal year brings about 29 inches of snow to Somerset, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the New Brunswick 3 Se weather station 4.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (9.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.5 | 4.9 | 8.3 | 9.3 | 5.2 | 0.6 | 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 Somerset?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ), about 39 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 Somerset | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDIX Philadelphia, NJ | 39 mi south | 2,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 89 mi east-northeast | 8,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 127 mi south-southwest | 13,800 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 Somerset
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 65 tornadoes within 25 miles of Somerset, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F3 on October 18, 1990, which touched down about 14 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 14, 2024, which touched down about 21 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 171 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on September 9, 2023.
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 Somerset'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.
Somerset radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Somerset, NJ?
KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ), about 39 miles south. KOKX (Upton, NY) is 89 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Somerset?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Somerset the lowest scan from KDIX is about 2,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Somerset 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 Somerset, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.