McKnightstown, PA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for McKnightstown, Adams County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits McKnightstown?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 147 days in the Adams forecast zone and Adams County — the most common reported hazard around McKnightstown, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (64 days) and flash flooding (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 147 | Jun 2026 | Jun 21, 2021 · $8.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 64 | Feb 2026 | Mar 4, 2001 · $5,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 28 | May 2025 | Jun 27, 2006 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 22 | Jul 2025 | Jul 22, 2018 · 1 death |
| High winds | 17 | Apr 2021 | Feb 12, 2009 · $25,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 11 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Jan 2014 | Jan 6, 2009 · $2,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Jan 2025 | — |
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 Adams forecast zone and Adams County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does McKnightstown get?
A normal year brings about 27 inches of snow to McKnightstown, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Biglerville weather station 5.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.4 | 3.6 | 8.7 | 8.7 | 5.1 | 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 McKnightstown?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 63 miles south. 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 McKnightstown | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 63 mi south | 4,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCCX State College, PA | 81 mi north-northwest | 7,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 124 mi southeast | 13,400 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 McKnightstown
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 60 tornadoes within 25 miles of McKnightstown, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an F3 on April 5, 1952, which passed about 19 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 5, 2024, which touched down about 25 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 152 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on May 10, 2000.
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 McKnightstown'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.
McKnightstown radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to McKnightstown, PA?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 63 miles south. KCCX (State College, PA) is 81 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in McKnightstown?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over McKnightstown the lowest scan from KLWX is about 4,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for McKnightstown 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 McKnightstown, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Biglerville, PA radar 6 mi
- Gettysburg, PA radar 6 mi
- Carroll Valley, PA radar 9 mi
- Bonneauville, PA radar 11 mi
- Mont Alto, PA radar 12 mi
- New Oxford, PA radar 15 mi
- Littlestown, PA radar 16 mi
- Waynesboro, PA radar 16 mi
- Shippensburg, PA radar 16 mi
- McSherrystown, PA radar 17 mi