Fairfax, VT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fairfax, Franklin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fairfax?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 101 days in the Western Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County — the most common reported hazard around Fairfax, mostly in March and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (66 days) and flooding (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 101 | Jan 2026 | Feb 14, 2007 · $150,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 66 | Jul 2025 | Aug 16, 2007 · $170,000 damage |
| Flooding | 34 | Dec 2023 | Jan 19, 1996 · 2 deaths · $410,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 25 | Feb 2026 | — |
| High winds | 21 | Dec 2025 | Dec 23, 2022 · $250,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Jul 2023 | Jul 15, 1997 · $8.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Jun 2025 | Mar 17, 2012 · $500,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | May 2015 | Jul 12, 2004 · 1 death |
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 Western Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Fairfax get?
A normal year brings about 86 inches of snow to Fairfax, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Essex Junction 1 N weather station 12.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (20.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 5.8 | 19.3 | 20.4 | 19.2 | 16.5 | 4.4 | 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 Fairfax?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCXX (Burlington, VT), about 13 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 Fairfax | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCXX Burlington, VT | 13 mi southwest | 700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGYX Portland, ME | 147 mi east-southeast | 17,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KTYX Montague, NY | 147 mi west-southwest | 17,500 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 Fairfax
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 17 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fairfax, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F2 on August 3, 1970, which passed about 12 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 10, 2025, which touched down about 24 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 139 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.30-inch hail on July 16, 2009.
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 Fairfax'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.
Fairfax radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fairfax, VT?
KCXX (Burlington, VT), about 13 miles southwest. KGYX (Portland, ME) is 147 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fairfax?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fairfax the lowest scan from KCXX is about 700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Fairfax 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 Fairfax, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- St. Albans, VT radar 10 mi
- Essex Junction, VT radar 14 mi
- Winooski, VT radar 15 mi
- Johnson, VT radar 16 mi
- Burlington, VT radar 17 mi
- Swanton, VT radar 18 mi
- South Burlington, VT radar 18 mi
- Enosburg Falls, VT radar 19 mi
- Morrisville, VT radar 22 mi
- Montpelier, VT radar 35 mi