Alden, NY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Alden, Erie County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Alden?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 150 days in the Northern Erie forecast zone and Erie County — the most common reported hazard around Alden, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (149 days) and high winds (91 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 150 | Jan 2026 | Nov 17, 2014 · 8 deaths · $1.3 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 149 | Jun 2026 | Nov 6, 2015 · $200,000 damage |
| High winds | 91 | Mar 2026 | Oct 31, 2019 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 60 | Apr 2025 | Nov 1, 2019 · $5.5 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 58 | Jun 2026 | Aug 9, 2009 · $15 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Oct 2018 | Jul 25, 2011 · $500,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 5 | Dec 2022 | Dec 23, 2022 · 40 deaths · $15 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2023 | Jan 31, 2002 · $1.5 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 Northern Erie forecast zone and Erie County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Alden get?
A normal year brings about 109 inches of snow to Alden, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wales weather station 12 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (32.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 9.1 | 26.6 | 32.9 | 19.9 | 17.0 | 3.6 | 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 Alden?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBUF (Buffalo, NY), about 13 miles west-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 Alden | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBUF Buffalo, NY | 13 mi west-northwest | 700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KBGM Binghamton, NY | 137 mi east-southeast | 15,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCCX State College, PA | 139 mi south | 16,000 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 Alden
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 33 tornadoes within 25 miles of Alden, 9 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F3 on August 19, 1970, which touched down about 23 miles southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on September 9, 2024, which touched down about 10 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 98 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on May 31, 1985.
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 Alden'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.
Alden radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Alden, NY?
KBUF (Buffalo, NY), about 13 miles west-northwest. KBGM (Binghamton, NY) is 137 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Alden?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Alden the lowest scan from KBUF is about 700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Alden 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 Alden, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Akron, NY radar 8 mi
- Lancaster, NY radar 9 mi
- Depew, NY radar 11 mi
- East Aurora, NY radar 11 mi
- Attica, NY radar 11 mi
- Williamsville, NY radar 13 mi
- Sloan, NY radar 15 mi
- Orchard Park, NY radar 16 mi
- Oakfield, NY radar 16 mi
- Batavia, NY radar 17 mi