North Lakes, AK Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for North Lakes, Matanuska-Susitna County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits North Lakes?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 2 days in the Lower Matanuska Valley forecast zone and Matanuska-Susitna County — the most common reported hazard around North Lakes, mostly in February and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (1 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 2 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 1 | 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 Lower Matanuska Valley forecast zone and Matanuska-Susitna County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does North Lakes get?
A normal year brings about 62 inches of snow to North Lakes, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Anderson Lake weather station 1 mile away. The snowiest month is usually December (15.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4 | 11.3 | 15.0 | 10.9 | 9.0 | 8.7 | 2.3 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover North Lakes?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is PAHG (Kenai, AK), about 92 miles 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 North Lakes | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAHG Kenai, AK | 92 mi southwest | 8,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| PAIH Middleton Island, AK | 181 mi southeast | 24,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| PAPD Pedro Dome, AK | 242 mi north-northeast | 40,500 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 North Lakes
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of North Lakes since 1950.
Hail: 1 report of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.00-inch hail on August 18, 2015.
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 North Lakes'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.
North Lakes radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to North Lakes, AK?
PAHG (Kenai, AK), about 92 miles southwest. PAIH (Middleton Island, AK) is 181 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near North Lakes?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over North Lakes the lowest scan from PAHG is about 8,500 ft up — fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation.
Is TALON's radar for North Lakes 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 North Lakes, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Wasilla, AK radar 6 mi
- Palmer, AK radar 7 mi
- Houston, AK radar 16 mi
- Anchorage, AK radar 31 mi