Columbus, PA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Columbus, Warren County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Columbus?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 139 days in the Warren forecast zone and Warren County — the most common reported hazard around Columbus, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (101 days) and flash flooding (25 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 139 | Jun 2026 | Jul 9, 1999 · 1 death · $150,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 101 | Jan 2026 | Mar 4, 2001 · $5,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 25 | Jun 2024 | Jul 4, 2019 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 21 | Jan 2025 | — |
| High winds | 18 | Feb 2019 | Dec 12, 2000 · 1 death · $14,000 damage |
| Flooding | 9 | May 2026 | Sep 17, 2004 · $50 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Mar 2008 | — |
| Wildfires | 1 | Apr 2021 | — |
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 Warren forecast zone and Warren County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Columbus get?
A normal year brings about 224 inches of snow to Columbus, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sherman weather station 14.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (61.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | 26.6 | 52.9 | 61.7 | 36.0 | 37.5 | 7.7 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Columbus?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBUF (Buffalo, NY), about 82 miles north-northeast. 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 Columbus | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBUF Buffalo, NY | 82 mi north-northeast | 7,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 103 mi south-southwest | 10,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCCX State College, PA | 108 mi southeast | 10,800 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 Columbus
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 50 tornadoes within 25 miles of Columbus, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 31, 1985, which passed about 4 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 9, 2025, which touched down about 16 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 101 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on June 4, 2010.
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 Columbus'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.
Columbus radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Columbus, PA?
KBUF (Buffalo, NY), about 82 miles north-northeast. KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Columbus?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Columbus the lowest scan from KBUF is about 7,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Columbus 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 Columbus, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Corry, PA radar 3 mi
- Union City, PA radar 14 mi
- Youngsville, PA radar 15 mi
- Waterford, PA radar 21 mi
- North East, PA radar 22 mi
- Titusville, PA radar 23 mi
- Warren, PA radar 24 mi
- Wesleyville, PA radar 26 mi
- Cambridge Springs, PA radar 27 mi
- Erie, PA radar 28 mi