Paxson, AK Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Paxson, Copper River County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Paxson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged blizzard conditions on 1 days in the Northern Copper Valley forecast zone and Copper River County — the most common reported hazard around Paxson, mostly in February.
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blizzards | 1 | 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 Northern Copper Valley forecast zone and Copper River County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Paxson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is PAPD (Pedro Dome, AK), about 151 miles north-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 Paxson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAPD Pedro Dome, AK | 151 mi north-northwest | 18,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| PAHG Kenai, AK | 240 mi southwest | 39,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| PAIH Middleton Island, AK | 244 mi south | 41,100 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 Paxson
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Paxson since 1950.
Hail: 1 report of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.00-inch hail on June 18, 2007.
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 Paxson'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.
Paxson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Paxson, AK?
PAPD (Pedro Dome, AK), about 151 miles north-northwest. PAHG (Kenai, AK) is 240 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Paxson?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Paxson the lowest scan from PAPD is about 18,400 ft up — limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms.
Is TALON's radar for Paxson 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 Paxson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.