Bethel, PA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bethel, Berks County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bethel?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 261 days in the Berks forecast zone and Berks County — the most common reported hazard around Bethel, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (99 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (86 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 261 | Jun 2026 | Jul 16, 2007 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 99 | Jul 2025 | Jul 11, 2019 · 2 deaths |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 86 | Jan 2026 | Feb 12, 2008 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 70 | Jul 2025 | Aug 1, 2006 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 53 | Dec 2023 | Jun 27, 2006 · $19 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 41 | May 2025 | May 25, 1998 · 1 death |
| High winds | 38 | Apr 2021 | Oct 29, 2012 · 2 deaths · $2.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 32 | Dec 2022 | Feb 3, 2015 · 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 Berks forecast zone and Berks County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bethel get?
A normal year brings about 30 inches of snow to Bethel, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Strausstown weather station 5.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (11.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.9 | 3.6 | 11.3 | 8.7 | 5.3 | 0.4 | 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 Bethel?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCCX (State College, PA), about 95 miles west-northwest. 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 Bethel | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCCX State College, PA | 95 mi west-northwest | 8,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDIX Philadelphia, NJ | 106 mi east-southeast | 10,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBGM Binghamton, NY | 120 mi north | 12,800 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 Bethel
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 64 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bethel, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on June 18, 1970, which touched down about 5 miles south of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on May 4, 2025, which touched down about 18 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 155 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 9, 1980.
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 Bethel'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.
Bethel radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bethel, PA?
KCCX (State College, PA), about 95 miles west-northwest. KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ) is 106 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bethel?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bethel the lowest scan from KCCX is about 8,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Bethel 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 Bethel, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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