Messiah College, PA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Messiah College, Cumberland County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Messiah College?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 142 days in the Cumberland forecast zone and Cumberland County — the most common reported hazard around Messiah College, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (59 days) and flash flooding (35 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 142 | Jun 2026 | Aug 25, 2007 · $125,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 59 | Feb 2026 | Jan 22, 2016 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 35 | Jun 2025 | Jan 19, 1996 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 34 | Jan 2024 | Sep 7, 2011 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 19 | Apr 2021 | Feb 12, 2009 · $25,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 11 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Jan 2009 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Jul 2023 | Oct 4, 2000 · 1 death |
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 Cumberland forecast zone and Cumberland County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Messiah College get?
A normal year brings about 24 inches of snow to Messiah College, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Harrisburg 1 Ne weather station 10.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.7 | 4.2 | 6.4 | 7.7 | 4.5 | 0.4 | 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 Messiah College?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCCX (State College, PA), about 75 miles northwest. 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 Messiah College | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCCX State College, PA | 75 mi northwest | 6,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 86 mi south-southwest | 7,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 123 mi southeast | 13,300 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 Messiah College
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 73 tornadoes within 25 miles of Messiah College, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and August. The strongest was an F3 on April 5, 1952, which passed about 20 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on August 9, 2024, which passed about 9 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 188 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on April 9, 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 Messiah College'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.
Messiah College radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Messiah College, PA?
KCCX (State College, PA), about 75 miles northwest. KLWX (Sterling, MD) is 86 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Messiah College?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Messiah College the lowest scan from KCCX is about 6,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Messiah College 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 Messiah College, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Mechanicsburg, PA radar 4 mi
- Dillsburg, PA radar 4 mi
- Shiremanstown, PA radar 5 mi
- Camp Hill, PA radar 7 mi
- New Cumberland, PA radar 7 mi
- Lemoyne, PA radar 7 mi
- Wormleysburg, PA radar 8 mi
- Steelton, PA radar 10 mi
- Harrisburg, PA radar 10 mi
- Paxtang, PA radar 11 mi