Kobuk, AK Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kobuk, Northwest Arctic County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kobuk?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 5 days in the Upper Kobuk Valleys forecast zone and Northwest Arctic County — the most common reported hazard around Kobuk, mostly in October and November. Next come blizzards (1 days) and high winds (1 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 5 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 1 | Jan 2024 | — |
| High winds | 1 | Oct 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 Kobuk Valleys forecast zone and Northwest Arctic County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Kobuk?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is PAEC (Nome, AK), about 291 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 Kobuk | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAEC Nome, AK | 291 mi west-southwest | 55,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| PAPD Pedro Dome, AK | 295 mi east-southeast | 57,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| PABC Bethel, AK | 450 mi south-southwest | 122,100 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 Kobuk
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Kobuk 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 Kobuk'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.
Kobuk radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kobuk, AK?
PAEC (Nome, AK), about 291 miles west-southwest. PAPD (Pedro Dome, AK) is 295 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Kobuk?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kobuk the lowest scan from PAEC is about 55,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Kobuk 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 Kobuk, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.