Carlisle, PA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Carlisle, Cumberland County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Carlisle?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 142 days in the Cumberland forecast zone and Cumberland County — the most common reported hazard around Carlisle, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (59 days) and flash flooding (35 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 142 | Jun 2026 | Aug 25, 2007 · $125,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 59 | Feb 2026 | Jan 22, 2016 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 35 | Jun 2025 | Jan 19, 1996 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 34 | Jan 2024 | Sep 7, 2011 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 19 | Apr 2021 | Feb 12, 2009 · $25,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 11 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Jan 2009 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Jul 2023 | Oct 4, 2000 · 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 Cumberland forecast zone and Cumberland County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Carlisle get?
A normal year brings about 28 inches of snow to Carlisle, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Carlisle Wtp weather station 1.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (9.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.9 | 4.0 | 7.7 | 9.6 | 4.8 | 0.2 | 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 Carlisle?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCCX (State College, PA), about 65 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 Carlisle | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCCX State College, PA | 65 mi northwest | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 86 mi south | 7,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 134 mi southeast | 15,100 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 Carlisle
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 60 tornadoes within 25 miles of Carlisle, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and April. The strongest was an F3 on June 7, 1980, which touched down about 21 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on August 9, 2024, which passed about 19 miles east of town.
Hail: 125 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 5 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-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 Carlisle'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.
Carlisle radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Carlisle, PA?
KCCX (State College, PA), about 65 miles northwest. KLWX (Sterling, MD) is 86 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Carlisle?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Carlisle the lowest scan from KCCX is about 5,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Carlisle 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 Carlisle, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Mount Holly Springs, PA radar 6 mi
- Mechanicsburg, PA radar 10 mi
- Newville, PA radar 11 mi
- Dillsburg, PA radar 11 mi
- Shiremanstown, PA radar 13 mi
- Camp Hill, PA radar 15 mi
- Bloomfield, PA radar 15 mi
- Wormleysburg, PA radar 16 mi
- Lemoyne, PA radar 16 mi
- Duncannon, PA radar 16 mi