Elgin, PA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Elgin, Erie County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Elgin?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 221 days in the Southern Erie forecast zone and Erie County — the most common reported hazard around Elgin, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (165 days) and flash flooding (46 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 221 | Nov 2025 | Dec 1, 2020 · 1 death · $150,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 165 | Jun 2026 | Jun 6, 2010 · 1 death · $150,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 46 | Jun 2025 | Nov 5, 2017 · 2 deaths · $270,000 damage |
| High winds | 42 | Dec 2024 | Sep 14, 2008 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Dec 2022 | Apr 29, 2012 · $250,000 damage |
| Flooding | 11 | Sep 2022 | Mar 1, 2020 · $5.0 million damage |
| Storm surge | 2 | May 1997 | Mar 14, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 1 | Nov 1997 | Nov 14, 1997 · $30,000 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 Southern Erie forecast zone and Erie County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Elgin get?
A normal year brings about 114 inches of snow to Elgin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Union City Filtration Plant weather station 5.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (30.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.9 | 14.5 | 27.6 | 30.3 | 21.3 | 15.8 | 3.8 | 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 Elgin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBUF (Buffalo, NY), about 89 miles 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 Elgin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBUF Buffalo, NY | 89 mi northeast | 8,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 98 mi south-southwest | 9,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCCX State College, PA | 113 mi southeast | 11,600 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 Elgin
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 50 tornadoes within 25 miles of Elgin, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an F4 on May 31, 1985, which passed about 5 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 9, 2025, which touched down about 8 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 143 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 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 Elgin'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.
Elgin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Elgin, PA?
KBUF (Buffalo, NY), about 89 miles northeast. KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA) is 98 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Elgin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Elgin the lowest scan from KBUF is about 8,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Elgin 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 Elgin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Union City, PA radar 5 mi
- Corry, PA radar 6 mi
- Waterford, PA radar 13 mi
- Cambridge Springs, PA radar 18 mi
- Edinboro, PA radar 20 mi
- Titusville, PA radar 20 mi
- Wesleyville, PA radar 21 mi
- North East, PA radar 22 mi
- Erie, PA radar 22 mi
- Youngsville, PA radar 22 mi