Ridgway, PA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ridgway, Elk County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ridgway?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 104 days in the Elk forecast zone and Elk County — the most common reported hazard around Ridgway, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (53 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 104 | Jun 2026 | Jun 21, 2021 · $2.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 53 | Jan 2026 | Mar 4, 2001 · $5,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 22 | Feb 2026 | — |
| High winds | 14 | Feb 2019 | Dec 12, 2000 · $14,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Jan 2009 | — |
| Flooding | 7 | Jun 2026 | Dec 1, 2010 · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 7 | May 2014 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | May 2008 | May 18, 2008 · $250,000 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 Elk forecast zone and Elk County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ridgway get?
A normal year brings about 53 inches of snow to Ridgway, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ridgway weather station 1.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (15.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 3.2 | 12.3 | 15.3 | 12.5 | 7.5 | 1.5 | 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 Ridgway?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCCX (State College, PA), about 51 miles southeast. 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 Ridgway | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCCX State College, PA | 51 mi southeast | 3,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 100 mi southwest | 9,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KBUF Buffalo, NY | 105 mi north | 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 Ridgway
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 34 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ridgway, 8 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an F4 on May 31, 1985, which passed about 11 miles west of town and caused 7 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on March 16, 2025, which touched down about 14 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 52 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 20, 1967.
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 Ridgway'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.
Ridgway radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ridgway, PA?
KCCX (State College, PA), about 51 miles southeast. KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA) is 100 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ridgway?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ridgway the lowest scan from KCCX is about 3,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ridgway 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 Ridgway, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Johnsonburg, PA radar 5 mi
- St. Marys, PA radar 11 mi
- Brockway, PA radar 13 mi
- Kane, PA radar 17 mi
- Falls Creek, PA radar 20 mi
- DuBois, PA radar 21 mi
- Reynoldsville, PA radar 25 mi
- Emporium, PA radar 26 mi
- Brookville, PA radar 26 mi
- Sykesville, PA radar 27 mi