Bessemer, PA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bessemer, Lawrence County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bessemer?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 158 days in the Lawrence forecast zone and Lawrence County — the most common reported hazard around Bessemer, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (48 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (33 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 158 | Jun 2026 | Jul 28, 1999 · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 48 | May 2026 | Jul 9, 2023 · $1.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 33 | Jan 2026 | Feb 1, 2008 · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 28 | Feb 2026 | Sep 17, 2004 · $265,000 damage |
| High winds | 16 | Mar 2021 | Sep 14, 2008 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Mar 2013 | Nov 13, 1997 · $2,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Aug 1998 | Aug 24, 1998 · $1,000 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 Lawrence forecast zone and Lawrence County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bessemer get?
A normal year brings about 28 inches of snow to Bessemer, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the New Castle 1 N weather station 7.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.8 | 4.9 | 10.1 | 7.7 | 3.7 | 0.3 | 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 Bessemer?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 34 miles south-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 Bessemer | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 34 mi south-southeast | 2,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 77 mi west-northwest | 6,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCCX State College, PA | 130 mi east | 14,400 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 Bessemer
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 90 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bessemer, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 31, 1985, which passed about 16 miles north of town and caused 18 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 6, 2024, which touched down about 18 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 288 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 26, 1956.
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 Bessemer'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.
Bessemer radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bessemer, PA?
KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 34 miles south-southeast. KCLE (Cleveland, OH) is 77 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bessemer?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bessemer the lowest scan from KPBZ is about 2,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bessemer 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 Bessemer, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- New Castle, PA radar 8 mi
- New Beaver, PA radar 9 mi
- Big Beaver, PA radar 13 mi
- New Wilmington, PA radar 13 mi
- Ellwood City, PA radar 13 mi
- Ellport, PA radar 14 mi
- West Mayfield, PA radar 16 mi
- Farrell, PA radar 16 mi
- Beaver Falls, PA radar 17 mi
- Hermitage, PA radar 18 mi