Butte Meadows, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Butte Meadows, Butte County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Butte Meadows?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 44 days in the Sierra Nevada of Tehama-Butte-Plumas Counties Above 3000 ft forecast zone and Butte County — the most common reported hazard around Butte Meadows, mostly in February and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (8 days) and flash flooding (7 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 44 | Feb 2026 | Feb 12, 2017 · $549 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 8 | Feb 2023 | Sep 18, 2019 · $4.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 7 | Nov 2020 | Feb 9, 2014 · $700,000 damage |
| Debris flows | 5 | Sep 2019 | Jan 9, 2017 · $4.3 million damage |
| Wildfires | 4 | Sep 2000 | Sep 18, 2000 · $1.9 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Jan 2019 | Jun 5, 2007 · $80,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 1 | Apr 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 Sierra Nevada of Tehama-Butte-Plumas Counties Above 3000 ft forecast zone and Butte County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Butte Meadows?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBBX (Beale AFB, CA), about 41 miles south. 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 Butte Meadows | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBBX Beale AFB, CA | 41 mi south | 2,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDAX Sacramento, CA | 110 mi south | 11,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRGX Reno, NV | 113 mi east | 11,500 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 Butte Meadows
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 3 tornadoes within 25 miles of Butte Meadows. Most came in March and January. The strongest was an EF1 on December 19, 2023, which touched down about 25 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 1 report of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.00-inch hail on February 22, 2001.
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 Butte Meadows'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.
Butte Meadows radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Butte Meadows, CA?
KBBX (Beale AFB, CA), about 41 miles south. KDAX (Sacramento, CA) is 110 miles away and also covers the area.
How often does Butte Meadows flood?
Since 1996 the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 44 days in the Sierra Nevada of Tehama-Butte-Plumas Counties Above 3000 ft forecast zone and Butte County. TALON's free flash-flood risk layer shows, every 2 minutes, how close the rain that has fallen is to what it takes to flood — turn it on under Layers.
Is TALON's radar for Butte Meadows 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 Butte Meadows, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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