Watchtower, NY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Watchtower, Ulster County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Watchtower?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 163 days in the Western Ulster forecast zone and Ulster County — the most common reported hazard around Watchtower, mostly in July and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (95 days) and flooding (55 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 163 | Jun 2026 | May 29, 1998 · 1 death · $500 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 95 | Jan 2026 | Mar 31, 1997 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 55 | Aug 2024 | Jan 19, 1996 · $5.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 49 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 49 | Jul 2023 | Dec 17, 2000 · 1 death |
| High winds | 32 | Mar 2021 | Oct 29, 2012 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 20 | Sep 2023 | Jul 3, 2009 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 18 | Jun 2025 | — |
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 Western Ulster forecast zone and Ulster County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Watchtower get?
A normal year brings about 44 inches of snow to Watchtower, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Walden 1 Ese weather station 7.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (11.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 1.1 | 9.2 | 11.3 | 11.2 | 10.7 | 0.7 | 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 Watchtower?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KENX (Albany, NY), about 66 miles north. 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 Watchtower | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KENX Albany, NY | 66 mi north | 5,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 90 mi southeast | 8,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KBGM Binghamton, NY | 97 mi west-northwest | 9,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Watchtower
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 32 tornadoes within 25 miles of Watchtower, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an F3 on July 14, 1988, which passed about 24 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on August 9, 2024, which touched down about 12 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 139 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on June 20, 1995.
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 Watchtower'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.
Watchtower radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Watchtower, NY?
KENX (Albany, NY), about 66 miles north. KOKX (Upton, NY) is 90 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Watchtower?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Watchtower the lowest scan from KENX is about 5,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Watchtower 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 Watchtower, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Walden, NY radar 7 mi
- Ellenville, NY radar 7 mi
- Montgomery, NY radar 8 mi
- Maybrook, NY radar 11 mi
- New Paltz, NY radar 12 mi
- Wurtsboro, NY radar 12 mi
- Washingtonville, NY radar 15 mi
- Newburgh, NY radar 16 mi
- Middletown, NY radar 16 mi
- Goshen, NY radar 17 mi