Ester, AK Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ester, Fairbanks North Star County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ester?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 4 days in the Goldstream Valley and Nenana Hills forecast zone and Fairbanks North Star County — the most common reported hazard around Ester, mostly in February and December.
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 4 | Feb 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 Goldstream Valley and Nenana Hills forecast zone and Fairbanks North Star County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ester get?
A normal year brings about 61 inches of snow to Ester, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the University Exp Stn weather station 5.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually November (11.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.9 | 11.4 | 10.3 | 10.6 | 9.5 | 6.8 | 2.7 | 0.5 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Ester?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is PAPD (Pedro Dome, AK), about 19 miles east-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 Ester | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAPD Pedro Dome, AK | 19 mi east-northeast | 1,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| PAHG Kenai, AK | 306 mi south-southwest | 60,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| PAIH Middleton Island, AK | 379 mi south | 89,400 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 Ester
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Ester since 1950.
Hail: 2 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.00-inch hail on June 19, 2025.
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 Ester'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.
Ester radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ester, AK?
PAPD (Pedro Dome, AK), about 19 miles east-northeast. PAHG (Kenai, AK) is 306 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Ester?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Ester the lowest scan from PAPD is about 1,100 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Ester 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 Ester, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Fairbanks, AK radar 12 mi
- North Pole, AK radar 22 mi