Polk, PA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Polk, Venango County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Polk?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 159 days in the Venango forecast zone and Venango County — the most common reported hazard around Polk, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (61 days) and flash flooding (49 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 159 | Jun 2026 | Jul 24, 2022 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 61 | Jan 2026 | Nov 23, 2013 · $75,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 49 | Feb 2026 | Jul 19, 1996 · $50 million damage |
| Flooding | 25 | Jun 2017 | Feb 28, 2011 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 22 | Mar 2023 | Sep 14, 2008 · 1 death · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Jan 2013 | Jan 5, 2005 · $30,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Apr 2023 | Apr 1, 2023 · $100,000 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 Venango forecast zone and Venango County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Polk get?
A normal year brings about 54 inches of snow to Polk, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Franklin weather station 5.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (17.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 2.6 | 11.7 | 17.9 | 11.5 | 8.9 | 1.1 | 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 Polk?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 60 miles south-southwest. 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 Polk | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 60 mi south-southwest | 4,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 100 mi west | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCCX State College, PA | 105 mi east-southeast | 10,300 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 Polk
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 58 tornadoes within 25 miles of Polk, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 31, 1985, which passed about 20 miles west-southwest of town and caused 18 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on September 22, 2021, which touched down about 9 miles west of town.
Hail: 166 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 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 Polk'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.
Polk radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Polk, PA?
KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 60 miles south-southwest. KCLE (Cleveland, OH) is 100 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Polk?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Polk the lowest scan from KPBZ is about 4,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Polk 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 Polk, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Franklin, PA radar 5 mi
- Sugarcreek, PA radar 7 mi
- Cochranton, PA radar 12 mi
- Oil City, PA radar 12 mi
- Grove City, PA radar 17 mi
- Mercer, PA radar 19 mi
- Slippery Rock, PA radar 22 mi
- Titusville, PA radar 22 mi
- Meadville, PA radar 22 mi
- Knox, PA radar 22 mi