Watsessing, NJ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Watsessing, Essex County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Watsessing?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 71 days in the Western Essex forecast zone and Essex County — the most common reported hazard around Watsessing, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (68 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 71 | Jun 2026 | Jun 26, 2024 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 68 | Aug 2025 | Sep 1, 2021 · 2 deaths |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 29 | Feb 2026 | Jan 25, 2026 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 23 | Nov 2016 | Apr 15, 2007 · 1 death · $4.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 20 | Jun 2025 | Jul 26, 2009 · 1 death · $1,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Jul 2019 | — |
| High winds | 7 | Mar 2024 | Oct 29, 2012 · $900,000 damage |
| 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 Essex forecast zone and Essex County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Watsessing get?
A normal year brings about 28 inches of snow to Watsessing, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Harrison weather station 3.7 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 Watsessing?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ), about 59 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 Watsessing | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDIX Philadelphia, NJ | 59 mi south | 4,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 70 mi east | 5,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KENX Albany, NY | 125 mi north | 13,500 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 Watsessing
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 56 tornadoes within 25 miles of Watsessing, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and October. The strongest was an F3 on May 28, 1973, which touched down about 16 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 26, 2023, which touched down about 20 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 202 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-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 Watsessing'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.
Watsessing radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Watsessing, NJ?
KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ), about 59 miles south. KOKX (Upton, NY) is 70 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Watsessing?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Watsessing the lowest scan from KDIX is about 4,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Watsessing 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 Watsessing, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Glen Ridge, NJ radar 1 mi
- East Orange, NJ radar 2 mi
- East Newark, NJ radar 3 mi
- North Arlington, NJ radar 4 mi
- Harrison, NJ radar 4 mi
- Newark, NJ radar 5 mi
- Kearny, NJ radar 5 mi
- Essex Fells, NJ radar 5 mi
- Caldwell, NJ radar 5 mi
- Rutherford, NJ radar 5 mi