Cranston, RI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cranston, Providence County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cranston?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 78 days in the Southeast Providence forecast zone and Providence County — the most common reported hazard around Cranston, mostly in July and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (69 days) and flooding (53 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 78 | Aug 2025 | Aug 21, 2004 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 69 | Jan 2026 | Feb 8, 2013 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 53 | Jan 2024 | Mar 29, 2010 · $27 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 38 | May 2024 | Sep 2, 2013 · $1.5 million damage |
| High winds | 31 | Jan 2024 | Mar 31, 2016 · $50,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 25 | Jul 2025 | Jun 25, 2012 · $150,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Jul 2013 | Jun 9, 2008 · 2 deaths |
| Coastal flooding | 4 | Dec 2023 | Apr 16, 2007 · $5,000 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 Southeast Providence forecast zone and Providence County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Cranston get?
A normal year brings about 37 inches of snow to Cranston, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Providence T F Green Ap weather station 4.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (10.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.0 | 7.6 | 10.3 | 10.5 | 6.4 | 0.6 | 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 Cranston?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBOX (Boston, MA), about 22 miles 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 Cranston | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBOX Boston, MA | 22 mi northeast | 1,300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 95 mi southwest | 8,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KENX Albany, NY | 144 mi west-northwest | 16,900 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 Cranston
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 37 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cranston, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and September. The strongest was an F3 on June 9, 1953, which passed about 23 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 26, 2024, which passed about 10 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 105 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 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 Cranston'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.
Cranston radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cranston, RI?
KBOX (Boston, MA), about 22 miles northeast. KOKX (Upton, NY) is 95 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cranston?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cranston the lowest scan from KBOX is about 1,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Cranston 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 Cranston, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Providence, RI radar 5 mi
- Warwick, RI radar 6 mi
- East Providence, RI radar 7 mi
- Pawtucket, RI radar 9 mi
- Central Falls, RI radar 10 mi
- Woonsocket, RI radar 16 mi
- Newport, RI radar 22 mi