Elma Center, NY Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Elma Center, Erie County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for Elma CenterWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Elma Center?

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 Elma Center, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (149 days) and high winds (91 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Heavy snow & winter storms150Jan 2026Nov 17, 2014 · 8 deaths · $1.3 million damage
Damaging thunderstorm winds149Jun 2026Nov 6, 2015 · $200,000 damage
High winds91Mar 2026Oct 31, 2019 · $1.0 million damage
Flooding60Apr 2025Nov 1, 2019 · $5.5 million damage
Flash flooding58Jun 2026Aug 9, 2009 · $15 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage14Oct 2018Jul 25, 2011 · $500,000 damage
Blizzards5Dec 2022Dec 23, 2022 · 40 deaths · $15 million damage
Ice storms & sleet4Feb 2023Jan 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 Elma Center get?

A normal year brings about 109 inches of snow to Elma Center, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wales weather station 6.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (32.9 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.29.126.632.919.917.03.60.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Elma Center?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBUF (Buffalo, NY), about 10 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over Elma CenterView
KBUF
Buffalo, NY		10 mi north-northwest500 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KCCX
State College, PA		136 mi south-southeast15,400 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KBGM
Binghamton, NY		142 mi east-southeast16,600 ftLimited — 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 Elma Center

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 38 tornadoes within 25 miles of Elma Center, 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 14 miles southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on September 9, 2024, which touched down about 23 miles northwest of town.

Hail: 102 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on May 28, 2017.

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 Elma Center'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.

Elma Center radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Elma Center, NY?

KBUF (Buffalo, NY), about 10 miles north-northwest. KCCX (State College, PA) is 136 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Elma Center?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Elma Center the lowest scan from KBUF is about 500 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Elma Center 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 Elma Center, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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