Bradford, PA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bradford, McKean County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bradford?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 121 days in the McKean forecast zone and McKean County — the most common reported hazard around Bradford, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (80 days) and flash flooding (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 121 | Jun 2026 | Aug 25, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 80 | Jan 2026 | Mar 4, 2001 · $5,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 26 | Jun 2024 | Aug 20, 1999 · $25 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 25 | Feb 2026 | — |
| High winds | 18 | Mar 2026 | Dec 12, 2000 · $14,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Mar 2008 | — |
| Flooding | 9 | Jan 2018 | Dec 1, 2010 · $200,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 1 | Sep 2003 | — |
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 McKean forecast zone and McKean County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bradford get?
A normal year brings about 75 inches of snow to Bradford, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bradford 4Sw Rsch 5 weather station 5.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (20.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 7.0 | 18.4 | 20.5 | 15.6 | 10.0 | 2.9 | 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 Bradford?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBUF (Buffalo, NY), about 68 miles north. 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 Bradford | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBUF Buffalo, NY | 68 mi north | 5,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCCX State College, PA | 79 mi south-southeast | 6,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 128 mi southwest | 14,100 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 Bradford
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 20 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bradford, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an F3 on June 20, 1969, which passed about 17 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 9, 2025, which touched down about 19 miles north of town.
Hail: 61 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 20, 1967.
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 Bradford'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.
Bradford radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bradford, PA?
KBUF (Buffalo, NY), about 68 miles north. KCCX (State College, PA) is 79 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bradford?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bradford the lowest scan from KBUF is about 5,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bradford 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 Bradford, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Smethport, PA radar 15 mi
- Port Allegany, PA radar 21 mi
- Kane, PA radar 22 mi
- Shinglehouse, PA radar 23 mi
- Warren, PA radar 27 mi
- Johnsonburg, PA radar 32 mi
- Coudersport, PA radar 35 mi
- St. Marys, PA radar 36 mi
- Youngsville, PA radar 36 mi
- Ridgway, PA radar 37 mi