Charlestown, RI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Charlestown, Washington County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Charlestown?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 58 days in the Washington forecast zone and Washington County — the most common reported hazard around Charlestown, mostly in October and December. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (58 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 58 | Dec 2024 | Dec 9, 2005 · $80,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 58 | Feb 2026 | Apr 1, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 28 | Jul 2023 | Aug 24, 1996 · $750,000 damage |
| Flooding | 20 | May 2024 | Mar 29, 2010 · $25 million damage |
| Coastal flooding | 11 | Jan 2024 | Oct 29, 2012 · $4.7 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | Jun 2023 | Aug 11, 2004 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Aug 2024 | Feb 18, 1998 · $400,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 4 | Aug 2021 | Aug 22, 2021 · $1.0 million 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 Washington forecast zone and Washington County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Charlestown get?
A normal year brings about 35 inches of snow to Charlestown, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Kingston weather station 8.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.6 | 6.6 | 10.0 | 9.9 | 6.2 | 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 Charlestown?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBOX (Boston, MA), about 47 miles north-northeast. 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 Charlestown | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBOX Boston, MA | 47 mi north-northeast | 3,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 74 mi west-southwest | 6,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KENX Albany, NY | 150 mi northwest | 18,300 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 Charlestown
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 9 tornadoes within 25 miles of Charlestown. Most came in October and August. The strongest was an F1 on October 18, 1990, which passed about 24 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on November 13, 2021, which touched down about 11 miles west of town.
Hail: 53 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on June 30, 1998.
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 Charlestown'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.
Charlestown radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Charlestown, RI?
KBOX (Boston, MA), about 47 miles north-northeast. KOKX (Upton, NY) is 74 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Charlestown?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Charlestown the lowest scan from KBOX is about 3,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Charlestown 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 Charlestown, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Newport, RI radar 17 mi
- Warwick, RI radar 25 mi
- Cranston, RI radar 28 mi
- East Providence, RI radar 32 mi
- Providence, RI radar 33 mi
- Pawtucket, RI radar 37 mi
- Central Falls, RI radar 37 mi
- Woonsocket, RI radar 44 mi