Surf City, NJ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Surf City, Ocean County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Surf City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 162 days in the Coastal Ocean forecast zone and Ocean County — the most common reported hazard around Surf City, mostly in July and June. Next come coastal flooding (93 days) and high winds (79 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 162 | May 2026 | Jun 22, 2011 · 1 death |
| Coastal flooding | 93 | Oct 2025 | Oct 29, 2012 · $7.5 billion damage |
| High winds | 79 | Oct 2025 | Oct 29, 2012 · $500 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 63 | Jul 2025 | Jul 16, 2025 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 57 | Jul 2025 | Jul 4, 1999 · 3 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 54 | Jul 2025 | Sep 16, 1999 · $5.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Jan 2026 | Jan 22, 2005 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 42 | Jun 2018 | Aug 28, 2011 · $10 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 Coastal Ocean forecast zone and Ocean County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Surf City get?
A normal year brings about 10 inches of snow to Surf City, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Brant Beach-Beach Haven weather station 7.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (4.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 3.9 | 4.6 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 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 Surf City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ), about 23 miles north-northwest. 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 Surf City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDIX Philadelphia, NJ | 23 mi north-northwest | 1,300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 89 mi southwest | 8,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 108 mi northeast | 10,800 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 Surf City
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 15 tornadoes within 25 miles of Surf City, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F3 on July 21, 1983, which touched down about 6 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 29, 2021, which passed about 11 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 41 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 June 6, 2002.
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 Surf City'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.
Surf City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Surf City, NJ?
KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ), about 23 miles north-northwest. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 89 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Surf City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Surf City the lowest scan from KDIX is about 1,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Surf City 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 Surf City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Ship Bottom, NJ radar 1 mi
- Beach Haven, NJ radar 7 mi
- Tuckerton, NJ radar 10 mi
- Ocean Gate, NJ radar 18 mi
- Beachwood, NJ radar 18 mi
- Port Republic, NJ radar 19 mi
- Seaside Park, NJ radar 19 mi
- Pine Beach, NJ radar 19 mi
- South Toms River, NJ radar 19 mi
- Island Heights, NJ radar 19 mi