Buena Vista, PA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Buena Vista, Allegheny County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Buena Vista?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 280 days in the Allegheny forecast zone and Allegheny County — the most common reported hazard around Buena Vista, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (173 days) and flooding (72 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 280 | Jun 2026 | May 31, 2002 · 1 death · $10 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 173 | Jun 2026 | Aug 19, 2011 · 4 deaths · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 72 | Aug 2021 | Sep 17, 2004 · 1 death · $26 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 38 | Mar 2026 | Jan 2, 1999 · 2 deaths |
| High winds | 34 | Mar 2026 | Feb 12, 2009 · $300,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 14 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 9 | May 2024 | May 25, 2024 · $50,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Dec 2016 | Jan 22, 2005 · $5,000 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 Allegheny forecast zone and Allegheny County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Buena Vista get?
A normal year brings about 21 inches of snow to Buena Vista, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Donora 1 Sw weather station 8.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.5 | 3.3 | 5.7 | 7.2 | 4.6 | 0.1 | 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 Buena Vista?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 28 miles 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 Buena Vista | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 28 mi northwest | 1,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KCCX State College, PA | 104 mi east-northeast | 10,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 133 mi northwest | 15,000 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 Buena Vista
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 73 tornadoes within 25 miles of Buena Vista, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on August 3, 1963, which touched down about 5 miles northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 21, 2025, which passed about 11 miles west of town.
Hail: 417 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 18 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 20, 1983.
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 Buena Vista'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.
Buena Vista radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Buena Vista, PA?
KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 28 miles northwest. KCCX (State College, PA) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Buena Vista?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Buena Vista the lowest scan from KPBZ is about 1,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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