Distant, PA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Distant, Armstrong County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Distant?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 160 days in the Armstrong forecast zone and Armstrong County — the most common reported hazard around Distant, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (36 days) and flash flooding (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 160 | Jun 2025 | Oct 6, 2024 · $2.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 36 | Jan 2026 | Feb 1, 2008 · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 34 | Jul 2025 | Jun 25, 2006 · $600,000 damage |
| Flooding | 27 | Feb 2026 | Sep 17, 2004 · $4.0 million damage |
| High winds | 18 | Feb 2019 | Sep 14, 2008 · $500,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Dec 2016 | Nov 13, 1997 · $2,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Aug 1998 | Aug 24, 1998 · $10,000 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 Armstrong forecast zone and Armstrong County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Distant get?
A normal year brings about 35 inches of snow to Distant, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Putneyville 2 Se Dam weather station 5.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (12.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 1.7 | 9.1 | 12.4 | 5.1 | 5.9 | 0.3 | 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 Distant?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 54 miles southwest. 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 Distant | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 54 mi southwest | 4,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCCX State College, PA | 71 mi east | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 134 mi west-northwest | 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 Distant
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 37 tornadoes within 25 miles of Distant, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F2 on July 11, 1976, which passed about 20 miles east-northeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on June 9, 2025, which touched down about 14 miles north of town.
Hail: 142 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on March 28, 2020.
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 Distant'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.
Distant radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Distant, PA?
KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 54 miles southwest. KCCX (State College, PA) is 71 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Distant?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Distant the lowest scan from KPBZ is about 4,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Distant 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 Distant, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Kittanning, PA radar 13 mi
- West Kittanning, PA radar 14 mi
- Clarion, PA radar 16 mi
- Ford City, PA radar 17 mi
- Brookville, PA radar 19 mi
- Punxsutawney, PA radar 20 mi
- Knox, PA radar 20 mi
- Reynoldsville, PA radar 26 mi
- Freeport, PA radar 26 mi
- Indiana, PA radar 27 mi