Erie, PA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Erie, Erie County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Erie?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 165 days in the Northern Erie forecast zone and Erie County — the most common reported hazard around Erie, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (146 days) and high winds (57 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 165 | Jun 2026 | Jun 6, 2010 · 1 death · $150,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 146 | Feb 2025 | Dec 24, 2017 · $15 million damage |
| High winds | 57 | Dec 2024 | Sep 14, 2008 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 46 | Jun 2025 | Nov 5, 2017 · 2 deaths · $270,000 damage |
| Flooding | 15 | Sep 2022 | Oct 31, 2019 · $8.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Dec 2022 | Apr 29, 2012 · $500,000 damage |
| Storm surge | 2 | May 1997 | Mar 14, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Jul 1999 | — |
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 Northern Erie forecast zone and Erie County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Erie get?
A normal year brings about 104 inches of snow to Erie, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Erie Intl Ap weather station 6.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (31.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 9.6 | 26.3 | 31.8 | 19.4 | 14.5 | 2.6 | 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 Erie?
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 Erie | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBUF Buffalo, NY | 89 mi northeast | 8,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 104 mi west-southwest | 10,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 110 mi south | 11,100 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 Erie
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 28 tornadoes within 25 miles of Erie, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 31, 1985, which passed about 17 miles southwest of town and caused 12 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 9, 2025, which touched down about 24 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 108 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 8, 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 Erie'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.
Erie radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Erie, PA?
KBUF (Buffalo, NY), about 89 miles northeast. KCLE (Cleveland, OH) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Erie?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Erie the lowest scan from KBUF is about 8,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Erie 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 Erie, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Wesleyville, PA radar 3 mi
- Waterford, PA radar 13 mi
- North East, PA radar 14 mi
- Girard, PA radar 15 mi
- Lake City, PA radar 16 mi
- Edinboro, PA radar 17 mi
- Union City, PA radar 19 mi
- Albion, PA radar 22 mi
- Cambridge Springs, PA radar 22 mi
- Corry, PA radar 26 mi