Clifton, WV Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Clifton, Mason County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Clifton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 90 days in the Mason forecast zone and Mason County — the most common reported hazard around Clifton, mostly in July and June. Next come flooding (48 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 90 | May 2026 | Jul 25, 2016 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 48 | May 2025 | Mar 2, 1997 · $700,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 26 | Feb 2026 | Jan 6, 2014 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 26 | Mar 2026 | Jan 27, 2009 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 21 | Jul 2011 | — |
| Flash flooding | 21 | May 2026 | Mar 1, 1997 · $300,000 damage |
| High winds | 12 | Apr 2023 | Mar 9, 2002 · $6,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Feb 2021 | Feb 16, 2003 · $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 Mason forecast zone and Mason County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Clifton get?
A normal year brings about 18 inches of snow to Clifton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Carpenter 2 S weather station 13.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 5.6 | 4.5 | 3.3 | 0.1 | 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 Clifton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 51 miles south-southeast. 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 Clifton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 51 mi south-southeast | 3,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 100 mi west-northwest | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KJKL Jackson, KY | 120 mi southwest | 12,700 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 Clifton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 21 tornadoes within 25 miles of Clifton, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F5 on April 23, 1968, which passed about 15 miles southwest of town and caused 7 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 12, 2023, which touched down about 20 miles north of town.
Hail: 143 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 8 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on September 25, 1994.
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 Clifton'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.
Clifton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Clifton, WV?
KRLX (Charleston, WV), about 51 miles south-southeast. KILN (Wilmington, OH) is 100 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Clifton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Clifton the lowest scan from KRLX is about 3,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Clifton 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 Clifton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Point Pleasant, WV radar 12 mi
- Ravenswood, WV radar 15 mi
- Ripley, WV radar 22 mi
- Buffalo, WV radar 27 mi
- Parkersburg, WV radar 32 mi
- Eleanor, WV radar 33 mi
- Winfield, WV radar 34 mi
- Vienna, WV radar 35 mi
- Spencer, WV radar 39 mi