Hickory, PA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hickory, Washington County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hickory?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 228 days in the Washington forecast zone and Washington County — the most common reported hazard around Hickory, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (67 days) and flooding (52 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 228 | Jun 2026 | Aug 12, 2023 · $250,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 67 | Jul 2025 | May 19, 1997 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 52 | Apr 2024 | Sep 17, 2004 · $5.1 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 29 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 21 | Mar 2026 | Sep 14, 2008 · $150,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Dec 2012 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | Jul 2011 | Jun 24, 1996 · $20,000 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 Washington forecast zone and Washington County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Hickory get?
A normal year brings about 32 inches of snow to Hickory, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Washington 3 Ne weather station 10.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 1.8 | 6.0 | 9.9 | 7.5 | 6.1 | 0.6 | 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 Hickory?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 17 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 Hickory | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 17 mi north-northeast | 900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 112 mi northwest | 11,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCCX State College, PA | 128 mi east-northeast | 14,100 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 Hickory
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 52 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hickory, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F3 on August 3, 1963, which touched down about 22 miles east of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 21, 2025, which touched down about 4 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 331 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 22 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on August 12, 2023.
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 Hickory'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.
Hickory radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hickory, PA?
KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 17 miles north-northeast. KCLE (Cleveland, OH) is 112 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hickory?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hickory the lowest scan from KPBZ is about 900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Hickory 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 Hickory, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Houston, PA radar 6 mi
- McDonald, PA radar 6 mi
- Canonsburg, PA radar 7 mi
- Burgettstown, PA radar 7 mi
- Washington, PA radar 9 mi
- East Washington, PA radar 9 mi
- Oakdale, PA radar 10 mi
- Bridgeville, PA radar 11 mi
- Heidelberg, PA radar 13 mi
- Carnegie, PA radar 14 mi