Providence, RI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Providence, Providence County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Providence?
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 Providence, 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 Providence get?
A normal year brings about 37 inches of snow to Providence, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Providence T F Green Ap weather station 7 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 Providence?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBOX (Boston, MA), about 17 miles east-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 Providence | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBOX Boston, MA | 17 mi east-northeast | 900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOKX Upton, NY | 100 mi southwest | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KENX Albany, NY | 145 mi west-northwest | 17,300 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 Providence
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 39 tornadoes within 25 miles of Providence, 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 18 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 26, 2024, which passed about 6 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 104 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 5 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 Providence'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.
Providence radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Providence, RI?
KBOX (Boston, MA), about 17 miles east-northeast. KOKX (Upton, NY) is 100 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Providence?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Providence the lowest scan from KBOX is about 900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Providence 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 Providence, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- East Providence, RI radar 3 mi
- Pawtucket, RI radar 4 mi
- Central Falls, RI radar 5 mi
- Cranston, RI radar 5 mi
- Warwick, RI radar 8 mi
- Woonsocket, RI radar 13 mi
- Newport, RI radar 24 mi