Rapids, NY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rapids, Niagara County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rapids?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 104 days in the Niagara forecast zone and Niagara County — the most common reported hazard around Rapids, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (79 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (77 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 104 | May 2026 | Sep 6, 1998 · $2.3 million damage |
| High winds | 79 | Mar 2026 | Apr 28, 2011 · $800,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 77 | Jan 2026 | Feb 14, 2015 · 1 death · $20,000 damage |
| Flooding | 22 | Jan 2024 | Nov 1, 2019 · $5.5 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 19 | Jun 2024 | Jan 8, 1998 · $1.0 million damage |
| Coastal flooding | 7 | Nov 2017 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Jul 2023 | Aug 13, 2001 · $200,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Apr 2018 | 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 Niagara forecast zone and Niagara County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rapids get?
A normal year brings about 95 inches of snow to Rapids, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Buffalo weather station 11.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (26.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.9 | 7.8 | 25.3 | 26.7 | 18.1 | 14.1 | 2.5 | 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 Rapids?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBUF (Buffalo, NY), about 11 miles south-southwest. 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 Rapids | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBUF Buffalo, NY | 11 mi south-southwest | 600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KBGM Binghamton, NY | 149 mi east-southeast | 17,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCCX State College, PA | 154 mi south-southeast | 18,900 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 Rapids
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 25 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rapids, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and September. The strongest was an F2 on July 30, 1987, which touched down about 14 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on September 9, 2024, which touched down about 19 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 100 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on September 27, 1998.
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 Rapids'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.
Rapids radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rapids, NY?
KBUF (Buffalo, NY), about 11 miles south-southwest. KBGM (Binghamton, NY) is 149 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rapids?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rapids the lowest scan from KBUF is about 600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rapids 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 Rapids, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Lockport, NY radar 6 mi
- Akron, NY radar 9 mi
- Williamsville, NY radar 11 mi
- Middleport, NY radar 12 mi
- North Tonawanda, NY radar 12 mi
- Depew, NY radar 13 mi
- Tonawanda, NY radar 13 mi
- Lancaster, NY radar 14 mi
- Kenmore, NY radar 15 mi
- Medina, NY radar 15 mi