Cantwell, AK Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cantwell, Denali County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cantwell?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged blizzard conditions on 2 days in the Southern Denali Borough forecast zone and Denali County — the most common reported hazard around Cantwell, mostly in January.
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blizzards | 2 | Jan 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 Southern Denali Borough forecast zone and Denali County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Cantwell?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is PAPD (Pedro Dome, AK), about 118 miles north-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 Cantwell | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAPD Pedro Dome, AK | 118 mi north-northeast | 12,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| PAHG Kenai, AK | 204 mi south-southwest | 30,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| PAIH Middleton Island, AK | 285 mi south-southeast | 53,900 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 Cantwell
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Cantwell 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 Cantwell'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.
Cantwell radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cantwell, AK?
PAPD (Pedro Dome, AK), about 118 miles north-northeast. PAHG (Kenai, AK) is 204 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Cantwell?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Cantwell the lowest scan from PAPD is about 12,400 ft up — limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms.
Is TALON's radar for Cantwell 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 Cantwell, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.