Big Beaver, PA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Big Beaver, Beaver County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Big Beaver?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 189 days in the Beaver forecast zone and Beaver County — the most common reported hazard around Big Beaver, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (47 days) and flooding (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 189 | Jun 2026 | Oct 6, 2024 · $2.5 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 47 | Aug 2025 | Jul 5, 2007 · $10 million damage |
| Flooding | 39 | Apr 2024 | Jan 19, 1996 · $9.6 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 31 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 25 | Mar 2021 | Sep 14, 2008 · $5.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Dec 2016 | Jan 22, 2005 · $4,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 5 | Sep 2011 | Sep 1, 2011 · $20,000 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 Beaver forecast zone and Beaver County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Big Beaver get?
A normal year brings about 28 inches of snow to Big Beaver, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the New Castle 1 N weather station 13.4 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 Big Beaver?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 21 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 Big Beaver | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 21 mi south-southeast | 1,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 88 mi west-northwest | 8,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCCX State College, PA | 123 mi east | 13,300 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 Big Beaver
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 77 tornadoes within 25 miles of Big Beaver, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F3 on May 31, 1985, which crossed near town and caused 9 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 21, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 292 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 16 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 Big Beaver'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.
Big Beaver radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Big Beaver, PA?
KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 21 miles south-southeast. KCLE (Cleveland, OH) is 88 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Big Beaver?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Big Beaver the lowest scan from KPBZ is about 1,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Big Beaver 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 Big Beaver, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- West Mayfield, PA radar 3 mi
- New Beaver, PA radar 4 mi
- Beaver Falls, PA radar 5 mi
- Ellwood City, PA radar 5 mi
- Ellport, PA radar 6 mi
- New Brighton, PA radar 7 mi
- Rochester, PA radar 9 mi
- Beaver, PA radar 9 mi
- Monaca, PA radar 11 mi
- Freedom, PA radar 11 mi