Bethel, AK Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bethel, Bethel County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bethel?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged blizzard conditions on 2 days in the Interior Kuskokwim Delta forecast zone and Bethel County — the most common reported hazard around Bethel, mostly in February and January. Next come high winds (1 days) and ice storms & sleet (1 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blizzards | 2 | Feb 2026 | — |
| High winds | 1 | Oct 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 1 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Wildfires | 1 | Jun 2026 | — |
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 Interior Kuskokwim Delta forecast zone and Bethel County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bethel get?
A normal year brings about 64 inches of snow to Bethel, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bethel Ap weather station 1.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually November (13.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9 | 13.2 | 12.2 | 9.4 | 8.1 | 8.8 | 6.0 | 1.9 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Bethel?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is PABC (Bethel, AK), about 3 miles west-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 Bethel | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| PABC Bethel, AK | 3 mi west-southwest | 100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| PAKC King Salmon, AK | 232 mi southeast | 37,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| PAEC Nome, AK | 279 mi north-northwest | 51,800 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 Bethel
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Bethel. The strongest was an F0 on June 14, 2004, which touched down about 16 miles north of town.
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 Bethel'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.
Bethel radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bethel, AK?
PABC (Bethel, AK), about 3 miles west-southwest. PAKC (King Salmon, AK) is 232 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Bethel?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Bethel the lowest scan from PABC is about 100 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Bethel 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 Bethel, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.