West Sand Lake, NY Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for West Sand Lake, Rensselaer County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for West Sand LakeWhat TALON shows

What weather hits West Sand Lake?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 181 days in the Western Rensselaer forecast zone and Rensselaer County — the most common reported hazard around West Sand Lake, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (80 days) and excessive heat (62 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds181Jun 2026Jul 6, 1999 · $500,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms80Jan 2026Mar 31, 1997 · $250,000 damage
Excessive heat62Jun 2026—
High winds38Jan 2024Sep 16, 1999 · $300,000 damage
Flash flooding37Jul 2023Aug 11, 2008 · $4.0 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill32Feb 2026—
Flooding26Dec 2023Jan 19, 1996 · $3.0 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage13Jun 2020May 13, 2000 · $70,000 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 Western Rensselaer forecast zone and Rensselaer County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does West Sand Lake get?

A normal year brings about 53 inches of snow to West Sand Lake, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the West Sand Lake 2 S weather station 1.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (15.6 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.33.111.015.69.410.92.40.0

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

Which radars cover West Sand Lake?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KENX (Albany, NY), about 24 miles west. 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 West Sand LakeView
KENX
Albany, NY		24 mi west1,400 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KBGM
Binghamton, NY		126 mi west-southwest13,700 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KOKX
Upton, NY		128 mi south-southeast14,100 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 West Sand Lake

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 41 tornadoes within 25 miles of West Sand Lake, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an F4 on August 28, 1973, which passed about 18 miles south-southeast of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 29, 2020, which touched down about 21 miles north-northwest of town.

Hail: 316 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 26 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 8, 2011.

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 West Sand Lake'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.

West Sand Lake radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to West Sand Lake, NY?

KENX (Albany, NY), about 24 miles west. KBGM (Binghamton, NY) is 126 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in West Sand Lake?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over West Sand Lake the lowest scan from KENX is about 1,400 ft up.

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

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