McMechen, WV Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for McMechen, Marshall County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits McMechen?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 97 days in the Marshall forecast zone and Marshall County — the most common reported hazard around McMechen, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (46 days) and flooding (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 97 | Jun 2026 | Jun 5, 2010 · $150,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 46 | Jul 2025 | Apr 2, 2024 · $3.6 million damage |
| Flooding | 26 | Apr 2024 | Sep 17, 2004 · 1 death · $4.7 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 22 | Jan 2026 | Jan 13, 1999 · $25,000 damage |
| High winds | 11 | Feb 2019 | Feb 11, 2009 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Feb 2022 | Jan 22, 2005 · $2,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Jul 2001 | Jul 1, 2001 · $150,000 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 Marshall forecast zone and Marshall County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does McMechen get?
A normal year brings about 16 inches of snow to McMechen, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Moundsville weather station 5.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (6.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 2.5 | 6.0 | 4.7 | 2.4 | 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 McMechen?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 46 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 McMechen | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 46 mi northeast | 3,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 115 mi north-northwest | 11,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 127 mi south-southwest | 14,000 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 McMechen
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 29 tornadoes within 25 miles of McMechen, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and October. The strongest was an F2 on April 27, 1954, which touched down about 18 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 16, 2025, which touched down about 20 miles east of town.
Hail: 164 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on August 12, 2023.
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 McMechen'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.
McMechen radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to McMechen, WV?
KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 46 miles northeast. KCLE (Cleveland, OH) is 115 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in McMechen?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over McMechen the lowest scan from KPBZ is about 3,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for McMechen 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 McMechen, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Benwood, WV radar 1 mi
- Glen Dale, WV radar 3 mi
- Moundsville, WV radar 4 mi
- Bethlehem, WV radar 5 mi
- Wheeling, WV radar 6 mi
- West Liberty, WV radar 14 mi
- Wellsburg, WV radar 21 mi
- New Martinsville, WV radar 25 mi
- Follansbee, WV radar 25 mi
- Paden City, WV radar 29 mi