Alturas, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Alturas, Modoc County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Alturas?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 51 days in the Modoc County forecast zone and Modoc County — the most common reported hazard around Alturas, mostly in December and February. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (38 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (31 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 51 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 38 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 31 | Jan 2016 | — |
| Wildfires | 26 | Jul 2024 | Jul 30, 2015 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 9 | Feb 2025 | May 8, 2005 · $2.3 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 5 | Jul 2015 | Jul 6, 2011 · $20,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Jul 2024 | — |
| Flash flooding | 4 | Apr 2019 | — |
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 Modoc County forecast zone and Modoc County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Alturas?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMAX (Medford, OR), about 119 miles west-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 Alturas | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMAX Medford, OR | 119 mi west-northwest | 12,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRGX Reno, NV | 133 mi south-southeast | 14,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBBX Beale AFB, CA | 149 mi south-southwest | 18,000 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 Alturas
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Alturas since 1950.
Hail: 3 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on July 23, 1958.
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 Alturas'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.
Alturas radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Alturas, CA?
KMAX (Medford, OR), about 119 miles west-northwest. KRGX (Reno, NV) is 133 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Alturas?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Alturas the lowest scan from KMAX is about 12,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Alturas 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 Alturas, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.