Bolivar, PA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bolivar, Westmoreland County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bolivar?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 292 days in the Westmoreland Ridges forecast zone and Westmoreland County — the most common reported hazard around Bolivar, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (108 days) and flooding (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 292 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2008 · 1 death · $150,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 108 | Jul 2025 | Mar 28, 2020 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 40 | Apr 2024 | Feb 4, 2022 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 32 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 11 | Aug 2024 | Jun 13, 2019 · 2 deaths |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Jan 2025 | — |
| High winds | 8 | Mar 2026 | Jan 9, 2024 · $250,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Dec 2022 | — |
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 Westmoreland Ridges forecast zone and Westmoreland County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bolivar get?
A normal year brings about 48 inches of snow to Bolivar, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Derry 4 Sw weather station 11.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (14.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.2 | 10.0 | 14.6 | 10.7 | 9.6 | 0.8 | 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 Bolivar?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 57 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Bolivar | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 57 mi west | 4,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCCX State College, PA | 70 mi east-northeast | 5,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 132 mi southeast | 14,800 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 Bolivar
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 68 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bolivar, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on June 3, 1980, which passed about 22 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on March 16, 2025, which passed about 20 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 154 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on May 4, 2025.
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 Bolivar'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.
Bolivar radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bolivar, PA?
KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 57 miles west. KCCX (State College, PA) is 70 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bolivar?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bolivar the lowest scan from KPBZ is about 4,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bolivar 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 Bolivar, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Blairsville, PA radar 6 mi
- Derry, PA radar 9 mi
- Homer City, PA radar 10 mi
- Ligonier, PA radar 11 mi
- Westmont, PA radar 12 mi
- Southmont, PA radar 13 mi
- Johnstown, PA radar 13 mi
- Latrobe, PA radar 13 mi
- Ferndale, PA radar 14 mi
- East Conemaugh, PA radar 14 mi