Mentasta Lake, AK Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Mentasta Lake, Copper River County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Mentasta Lake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged wildfire on 1 days in the Tok Cutoff forecast zone and Copper River County — the most common reported hazard around Mentasta Lake, mostly in August.
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildfires | 1 | Aug 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 Tok Cutoff forecast zone and Copper River County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Mentasta Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is PAPD (Pedro Dome, AK), about 183 miles northwest. 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 Mentasta Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAPD Pedro Dome, AK | 183 mi northwest | 25,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| PAIH Middleton Island, AK | 262 mi south-southwest | 46,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| PAHG Kenai, AK | 299 mi west-southwest | 58,500 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 Mentasta Lake
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Mentasta Lake 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 Mentasta Lake'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.
Mentasta Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Mentasta Lake, AK?
PAPD (Pedro Dome, AK), about 183 miles northwest. PAIH (Middleton Island, AK) is 262 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Mentasta Lake?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Mentasta Lake the lowest scan from PAPD is about 25,300 ft up — limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms.
Is TALON's radar for Mentasta Lake 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 Mentasta Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.