Rochester Weather Radar

Rochester Live Weather

Rochester Live Weather Radar

Click to toggle between the Rochester cloud cover radar map and the Rochester precipitation radar map.

Rochester Hourly Weather Forecast

Rochester 7-Day Weather Forecast

Rochester Weather Overview

Rochester sits on the southern shore of Lake Ontario in western New York, where a humid-continental climate drives volatile weather year-round. Cold Arctic air crossing the warmer lake generates intense lake-effect snow bands that can bury one neighborhood while leaving another untouched. Rochester weather radar is the fastest way to see where those bands sit and whether they are shifting toward you. Checking the Rochester weather radar before heading out is routine in Monroe County.

Lake-effect snow and blizzards dominate the threat picture. Rochester averages 99.5 inches of snow per year, much of it in sudden bursts from November through February. The March 1991 ice storm coated the region in up to an inch of ice and cut power to over 300,000 customers. The December 2022 lake-effect event buried the metro under two to three feet of snow over Christmas weekend. The NWS Buffalo office (WFO BUF) issues winter advisories for the area — use the Rochester weather radar during these events for road safety. Rochester doppler weather radar picks up fine snow band structure that text forecasts miss.

Severe thunderstorms roll through from spring into early fall, sometimes with straight-line winds above 70 mph, as the July 2023 derecho showed. Annual precipitation totals about 34.3 inches. Between lake-effect snow, summer storms, and Genesee River flooding, the Rochester weather radar belongs in every local bookmark bar. Weather radar Rochester NY data updates every few minutes — the Rochester weather radar gives you real-time precipitation tracking no text forecast can match.

Rochester Weather Risks & Safety

Key weather hazards to monitor on the Rochester weather radar

Lake-Effect Snow Risk

Rochester gets lake-effect snow — and it's wild. Cold Arctic air blows over the warmer Great Lakes, picks up moisture, and dumps several inches of snow per hour in narrow bands. The tricky part: one neighborhood gets buried while another a few miles away sees blue sky. The radar is the only way to see where those bands are sitting and whether they're about to shift onto you.

Blizzard & Heavy Snow Risk

Rochester gets hit by blizzards when Arctic air combines with moisture — 12+ inches of snow, 35+ mph winds, near-zero visibility. On the radar you can watch the storm bands approach and figure out exactly when the worst will arrive. That timing matters: get your errands done before the bands reach you, and be ready for power outages and road closures that can last days.

Severe Thunderstorm Risk

Severe thunderstorms roll through Rochester regularly, especially spring through early fall. Expect damaging winds above 58 mph, large hail, and dangerous lightning. The radar shows you each storm cell's position, movement, and intensity — so you can tell if one is headed your way. When a thunderstorm warning drops for Rochester, get indoors and away from windows until it passes.

Flooding & Flash Flood Risk

Flash flooding is Rochester's most persistent weather hazard. Slow-moving thunderstorms or tropical moisture can dump enough rain to overwhelm drainage systems within hours — especially in paved urban areas where water has nowhere to go. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.

How to Use Rochester Weather Radar

Follow these steps to get the most from the Rochester weather radar data.

Check Current Conditions

Open the Rochester radar page and look at the weather status bar at the top. It shows temperature, humidity, wind speed, and current conditions — essential when lake-effect snow bands can change everything in minutes.

Watch the Radar Map

Hit play on the radar animation to see precipitation moving across the Rochester metro. During lake-effect events, watch for narrow snow bands shifting position — that movement tells you if your area is about to get hit.

Review the Forecast

Scroll to the hourly and 7-day forecast for Rochester. Look for snow or storm warnings in the next few hours, especially November through February when lake-effect events are most frequent.

Plan Around the Weather

Snow bands approaching? Delay your commute on I-490 or I-590. Summer thunderstorm building? Move outdoor plans at Highland Park indoors. Rochester weather shifts fast — check back often during active weather.

Who Benefits from Rochester Weather Radar

How different people use the Rochester radar data

Commuters & Drivers

Check radar before driving I-490 or I-590 — spot lake-effect snow bands and blizzard conditions on your route.

Outdoor Enthusiasts

Runners and hikers at Highland Park or Genesee Valley Park — see incoming storms 30 minutes out.

Event Planners & Families

Heading to Frontier Field or Blue Cross Arena? Radar shows exactly when precipitation hits downtown Rochester.

Outdoor Workers

Construction and delivery crews across Greater Rochester — check radar before outdoor work during snow season.

Rochester Weather FAQ

Common questions about Rochester weather patterns and radar

How much snow does Rochester get per year?

Rochester averages about 99.5 inches of snow annually, making it one of the snowiest mid-size cities in the United States. Most of that snow falls between November and February, driven by lake-effect bands off Lake Ontario. Individual storms can drop over two feet in a single event, as the December 2022 lake-effect blizzard demonstrated.

Why does Rochester get so much lake-effect snow?

Rochester sits just south of Lake Ontario, and when cold Arctic air blows across the warmer lake surface, it picks up moisture and dumps it as heavy snow in narrow bands onshore. The lake rarely freezes completely, so this process runs from late October through March. Wind direction determines which neighborhoods get buried — shifts of just a few miles can mean the difference between two feet of snow and clear skies.

When is severe weather season in Rochester?

Severe thunderstorms hit Rochester most often from May through September, bringing damaging winds, hail, and occasional tornadoes. The July 2023 derecho produced straight-line winds over 70 mph and knocked out power to more than 100,000 customers. Monroe County averages roughly one tornado per year, though most are weak. The NWS Buffalo office (WFO BUF) issues severe weather warnings for the Rochester metro area.

What was the worst weather disaster in Rochester history?

The March 1991 ice storm ranks among the worst. On March 3-4, up to an inch of ice coated the region, snapping power lines and downing trees across western New York. Over 300,000 customers lost electricity, some for up to 10 days, and total damage exceeded $375 million. Winter Storm Stella in March 2017 also buried Rochester under 20 to 24 inches of snow and shut down the NYS Thruway.

How is this radar different from News10NBC or 13WHAM weather radar?

News10NBC (WHEC) and 13WHAM offer radar alongside their broadcast forecasts and professional meteorologist commentary — valuable during active severe weather. This page provides a clean, ad-free interface with interactive RainViewer radar maps, Open-Meteo hourly forecasts, and a 7-day outlook for Rochester. Radar imagery updates approximately every 10 minutes. If you want quick radar access without video autoplay or ads, bookmark this page.

Does Rochester get flooding?

Yes. The Genesee River runs through downtown Rochester, and heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt can push it above flood stage. Rochester receives about 34.3 inches of precipitation annually, and slow-moving summer thunderstorms sometimes overwhelm drainage systems in paved urban areas. Flash flood warnings are not uncommon during intense rain events from May through October.