Big Flats, NY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Big Flats, Chemung County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Big Flats?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 89 days in the Chemung forecast zone and Chemung County — the most common reported hazard around Big Flats, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (60 days) and flash flooding (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 89 | Jun 2026 | Apr 29, 2025 · $75,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 60 | Jan 2026 | Jan 3, 2003 · $300,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 28 | Aug 2024 | Jan 19, 1996 · $18 million damage |
| Flooding | 16 | Apr 2020 | Sep 9, 2004 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 14 | Jan 2022 | Jan 10, 2004 · $10,000 damage |
| High winds | 12 | Feb 2019 | Feb 18, 2011 · $50,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Mar 2008 | Jan 1, 2003 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Mar 2012 | — |
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 Chemung forecast zone and Chemung County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Big Flats get?
A normal year brings about 42 inches of snow to Big Flats, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Elmira weather station 5.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually March (11.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 2.7 | 8.4 | 8.4 | 9.5 | 11.2 | 1.5 | 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 Big Flats?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBGM (Binghamton, NY), about 47 miles east. 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 Big Flats | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBGM Binghamton, NY | 47 mi east | 3,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCCX State College, PA | 103 mi southwest | 10,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBUF Buffalo, NY | 108 mi west-northwest | 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 Big Flats
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 22 tornadoes within 25 miles of Big Flats, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F3 on May 2, 1983, which passed about 15 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on September 2, 2014, which passed about 11 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 157 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 5 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on May 31, 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 Big Flats'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.
Big Flats radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Big Flats, NY?
KBGM (Binghamton, NY), about 47 miles east. KCCX (State College, PA) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Big Flats?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Big Flats the lowest scan from KBGM is about 3,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Big Flats 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 Big Flats, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Horseheads, NY radar 4 mi
- Elmira Heights, NY radar 5 mi
- South Corning, NY radar 7 mi
- Elmira, NY radar 7 mi
- Corning, NY radar 8 mi
- Painted Post, NY radar 9 mi
- Montour Falls, NY radar 13 mi
- Watkins Glen, NY radar 15 mi
- Addison, NY radar 17 mi
- Waverly, NY radar 22 mi