Watertown, NY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Watertown, Jefferson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Watertown?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 212 days in the Jefferson forecast zone and Jefferson County — the most common reported hazard around Watertown, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (102 days) and high winds (59 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 212 | Mar 2026 | Dec 27, 2001 · $2.0 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 102 | Jun 2026 | Jul 13, 2023 · $600,000 damage |
| High winds | 59 | Dec 2025 | Apr 4, 2018 · 1 death · $15,000 damage |
| Flooding | 22 | Aug 2024 | Apr 28, 2011 · 1 death · $250,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Coastal flooding | 7 | Nov 2017 | — |
| Blizzards | 6 | Dec 2022 | Dec 23, 2022 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Aug 2024 | Jul 24, 2008 · $75,000 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 Jefferson forecast zone and Jefferson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Watertown get?
A normal year brings about 116 inches of snow to Watertown, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Watertown weather station 1.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (34.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 9.1 | 26.9 | 34.0 | 29.6 | 13.6 | 2.7 | 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 Watertown?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTYX (Montague, NY), about 19 miles southeast. 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 Watertown | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTYX Montague, NY | 19 mi southeast | 1,000 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KBGM Binghamton, NY | 123 mi south | 13,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KENX Albany, NY | 133 mi southeast | 15,100 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 Watertown
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 8 tornadoes within 25 miles of Watertown. Most came in August and July. The strongest was an F1 on August 28, 1983, which passed about 19 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 9, 2024, which touched down about 15 miles south of town.
Hail: 18 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on August 15, 2018.
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 Watertown'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.
Watertown radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Watertown, NY?
KTYX (Montague, NY), about 19 miles southeast. KBGM (Binghamton, NY) is 123 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Watertown?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Watertown the lowest scan from KTYX is about 1,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Watertown 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 Watertown, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Black River, NY radar 6 mi
- Dexter, NY radar 7 mi
- Sackets Harbor, NY radar 10 mi
- Adams, NY radar 13 mi
- West Carthage, NY radar 14 mi
- Carthage, NY radar 15 mi
- Philadelphia, NY radar 16 mi
- Clayton, NY radar 20 mi
- Lowville, NY radar 25 mi
- Pulaski, NY radar 30 mi