Elmira, NY Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for ElmiraWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Elmira?

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 Elmira, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (60 days) and flash flooding (28 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds89Jun 2026Apr 29, 2025 · $75,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms60Jan 2026Jan 3, 2003 · $300,000 damage
Flash flooding28Aug 2024Jan 19, 1996 · $18 million damage
Flooding16Apr 2020Sep 9, 2004 · $500,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill14Jan 2022Jan 10, 2004 · $10,000 damage
High winds12Feb 2019Feb 18, 2011 · $50,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet6Mar 2008Jan 1, 2003 · $100,000 damage
Excessive heat4Mar 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 Elmira get?

A normal year brings about 42 inches of snow to Elmira, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Elmira weather station 1.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually March (11.2 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.12.78.48.49.511.21.50.0

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

Which radars cover Elmira?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBGM (Binghamton, NY), about 43 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over ElmiraView
KBGM
Binghamton, NY		43 mi east2,900 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KCCX
State College, PA		102 mi southwest9,900 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KBUF
Buffalo, NY		115 mi west-northwest11,800 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 Elmira

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 26 tornadoes within 25 miles of Elmira, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an F3 on May 2, 1983, which passed about 8 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 28, 2019, which passed about 25 miles southeast of town.

Hail: 164 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 Elmira'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.

Elmira radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Elmira, NY?

KBGM (Binghamton, NY), about 43 miles east. KCCX (State College, PA) is 102 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Elmira?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Elmira the lowest scan from KBGM is about 2,900 ft up.

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

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