Benson, PA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Benson, Somerset County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Benson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 132 days in the Somerset forecast zone and Somerset County — the most common reported hazard around Benson, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (113 days) and flash flooding (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 132 | Jun 2026 | Aug 25, 2011 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 113 | Jan 2026 | Oct 30, 2012 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 42 | May 2025 | Jul 5, 2019 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 28 | Mar 2026 | Feb 12, 2009 · $300,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 26 | Feb 2026 | Jan 20, 2025 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 14 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 14 | Feb 2025 | Feb 8, 2025 · $50,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Aug 2012 | Jul 24, 2012 · 1 death |
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 Somerset forecast zone and Somerset County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Benson get?
A normal year brings about 65 inches of snow to Benson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Boswell weather station 6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (19.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 3.8 | 13.1 | 17.9 | 19.9 | 8.2 | 1.5 | 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 Benson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCCX (State College, PA), about 70 miles northeast. 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 Benson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCCX State College, PA | 70 mi northeast | 5,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 72 mi west-northwest | 5,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 114 mi southeast | 11,800 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 Benson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 45 tornadoes within 25 miles of Benson, 8 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 2, 1998, which passed about 19 miles southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on March 16, 2025, which passed about 24 miles west of town.
Hail: 92 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 May 17, 1960.
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 Benson'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.
Benson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Benson, PA?
KCCX (State College, PA), about 70 miles northeast. KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA) is 72 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Benson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Benson the lowest scan from KCCX is about 5,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Benson 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 Benson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Boswell, PA radar 6 mi
- Windber, PA radar 6 mi
- Ferndale, PA radar 6 mi
- Geistown, PA radar 7 mi
- Southmont, PA radar 7 mi
- Westmont, PA radar 8 mi
- Johnstown, PA radar 9 mi
- East Conemaugh, PA radar 10 mi
- Somerset, PA radar 16 mi
- Ligonier, PA radar 17 mi