Bettles, AK Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bettles, Yukon-Koyukuk County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bettles?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 3 days in the Upper Koyukuk Valley forecast zone and Yukon-Koyukuk County — the most common reported hazard around Bettles, mostly in January and October.
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 3 | Jan 2025 | — |
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 Upper Koyukuk Valley forecast zone and Yukon-Koyukuk County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bettles get?
A normal year brings about 98 inches of snow to Bettles, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bettles Ap weather station 1 mile away. The snowiest month is usually November (19.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12.0 | 19.1 | 18.2 | 14.0 | 15.9 | 9.3 | 5.2 | 1.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Bettles?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is PAPD (Pedro Dome, AK), about 172 miles 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 Bettles | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAPD Pedro Dome, AK | 172 mi southeast | 22,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| PAEC Nome, AK | 425 mi west-southwest | 109,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| PAHG Kenai, AK | 428 mi south | 111,100 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 Bettles
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Bettles since 1950.
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 Bettles'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.
Bettles radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bettles, AK?
PAPD (Pedro Dome, AK), about 172 miles southeast. PAEC (Nome, AK) is 425 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Bettles?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Bettles the lowest scan from PAPD is about 22,800 ft up — limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms.
Is TALON's radar for Bettles 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 Bettles, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.