Dorset, VT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dorset, Bennington County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dorset?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 137 days in the Bennington forecast zone and Bennington County — the most common reported hazard around Dorset, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (84 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (53 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 137 | Jan 2026 | Mar 31, 1997 · $750,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 84 | Jun 2026 | Aug 3, 2000 · $27,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 53 | Feb 2026 | Jan 8, 2021 · 1 death |
| High winds | 46 | Dec 2025 | Sep 16, 1999 · $150,000 damage |
| Flooding | 31 | Dec 2023 | Jan 19, 1996 · $300,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 23 | Jun 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 21 | Jul 2023 | Sep 16, 1999 · $476,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Sep 2021 | Jul 27, 2007 · $750,000 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 Bennington forecast zone and Bennington County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Dorset get?
A normal year brings about 75 inches of snow to Dorset, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sunderland 2 weather station 11.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (18.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 4.1 | 17.4 | 18.5 | 16.4 | 14.0 | 4.1 | 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 Dorset?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KENX (Albany, NY), about 67 miles southwest. 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 Dorset | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KENX Albany, NY | 67 mi southwest | 5,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCXX Burlington, VT | 86 mi north | 7,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTYX Montague, NY | 133 mi west-northwest | 15,000 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 Dorset
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 15 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dorset, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F3 on May 31, 1998, which passed about 23 miles south of town. The most recent was an EF1 on August 10, 2020, which touched down about 15 miles west of town.
Hail: 80 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.25-inch hail on June 1, 2011.
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 Dorset'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.
Dorset radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dorset, VT?
KENX (Albany, NY), about 67 miles southwest. KCXX (Burlington, VT) is 86 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dorset?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dorset the lowest scan from KENX is about 5,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Dorset 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 Dorset, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Poultney, VT radar 19 mi
- North Bennington, VT radar 24 mi
- Rutland, VT radar 25 mi
- Bellows Falls, VT radar 34 mi