Swarthmore, PA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Swarthmore, Delaware County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Swarthmore?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 142 days in the Delaware forecast zone and Delaware County — the most common reported hazard around Swarthmore, mostly in July and June. Next come excessive heat (103 days) and flash flooding (77 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 142 | Jun 2026 | Jun 3, 2020 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 103 | Jun 2026 | Jul 4, 1999 · 7 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 77 | Jun 2026 | Sep 16, 1999 · 1 death · $15 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 72 | Feb 2026 | Jan 21, 2014 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 70 | Dec 2023 | Oct 1, 2010 · $5.0 million damage |
| Coastal flooding | 38 | Apr 2024 | Apr 16, 2011 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 37 | Feb 2026 | Sep 18, 2003 · $5.2 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 29 | Dec 2022 | Jan 22, 2014 · 3 deaths |
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 Delaware forecast zone and Delaware County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Swarthmore get?
A normal year brings about 23 inches of snow to Swarthmore, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Philadelphia Intl Ap weather station 6.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.2 | 3.5 | 7.1 | 8.4 | 3.6 | 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 Swarthmore?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ), about 50 miles east. 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 Swarthmore | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDIX Philadelphia, NJ | 50 mi east | 3,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 75 mi south | 6,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 131 mi west-southwest | 14,600 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 Swarthmore
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 92 tornadoes within 25 miles of Swarthmore, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F3 on July 27, 1994, which touched down about 24 miles north-northwest of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 8, 2024, which touched down about 20 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 243 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 23, 1969.
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 Swarthmore'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.
Swarthmore radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Swarthmore, PA?
KDIX (Philadelphia, NJ), about 50 miles east. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 75 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Swarthmore?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Swarthmore the lowest scan from KDIX is about 3,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Swarthmore 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 Swarthmore, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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