Alta Sierra, CA Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Alta Sierra, Kern County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for Alta SierraWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Alta Sierra?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 120 days in the South End of the Upper Sierra forecast zone and Kern County — the most common reported hazard around Alta Sierra, mostly in January and March. Next come high winds (93 days) and flash flooding (72 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Flooding120Jan 2026Jan 2, 2011 · $13 million damage
High winds93Nov 2025May 20, 2002 · $25,000 damage
Flash flooding72Nov 2025Sep 3, 1997 · $5.0 million damage
Damaging thunderstorm winds38Mar 2024Sep 23, 2011 · $100,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage31Jun 2022Jul 18, 2015 · 1 death
Debris flows29Nov 2024Dec 26, 2019 · $100,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms25Nov 2025—
Wildfires25Aug 2003Jul 21, 2002 · $3.8 million damage

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 South End of the Upper Sierra forecast zone and Kern County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Alta Sierra get?

A normal year brings about 6.2 inches of snow to Alta Sierra, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Glennville weather station 8.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (1.6 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.00.11.21.31.61.60.40.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Alta Sierra?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEYX (Edwards AFB, CA), about 70 miles southeast. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over Alta SierraView
KEYX
Edwards AFB, CA		70 mi southeast5,700 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KHNX
San Joaquin Valley, CA		73 mi northwest6,000 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KVTX
Los Angeles, CA		98 mi south-southwest9,300 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation

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 Alta Sierra

NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Alta Sierra since 1950.

Hail: 1 report of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.00-inch hail on September 2, 1997.

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 Alta Sierra'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.

Alta Sierra radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Alta Sierra, CA?

KEYX (Edwards AFB, CA), about 70 miles southeast. KHNX (San Joaquin Valley, CA) is 73 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Alta Sierra?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Alta Sierra the lowest scan from KEYX is about 5,700 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Alta Sierra 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 Alta Sierra, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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