Carnelian Bay, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Carnelian Bay, Placer County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Carnelian Bay?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 364 days in the Greater Lake Tahoe Area forecast zone and Placer County — the most common reported hazard around Carnelian Bay, mostly in January and December. Next come high winds (161 days) and flooding (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 364 | Apr 2026 | Dec 20, 1996 · 2 deaths · $75,000 damage |
| High winds | 161 | Apr 2026 | Dec 11, 2014 · 1 death · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 32 | Apr 2026 | Nov 23, 2024 · 2 deaths |
| Avalanches | 16 | Feb 2026 | Feb 15, 2026 · 9 deaths |
| Debris flows | 7 | Jun 2023 | Jan 8, 2017 · $6,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 4 | Jan 2021 | Mar 1, 2018 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 4 | Mar 2025 | Nov 15, 2015 · $20,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 4 | May 2019 | Jan 26, 1997 · $150,000 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 Greater Lake Tahoe Area forecast zone and Placer County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Carnelian Bay get?
A normal year brings about 179 inches of snow to Carnelian Bay, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Tahoe City weather station 5.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (41.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 | 9.4 | 36.2 | 37.9 | 41.3 | 34.7 | 14.0 | 2.8 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Carnelian Bay?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRGX (Reno, NV), about 49 miles northeast. 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 Carnelian Bay | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRGX Reno, NV | 49 mi northeast | 3,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KBBX Beale AFB, CA | 85 mi west-northwest | 7,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDAX Sacramento, CA | 100 mi west-southwest | 9,600 ft | Fair — 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 Carnelian Bay
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 6 tornadoes within 25 miles of Carnelian Bay. Most came in August and September. The strongest was an EF0 on July 8, 2015, which touched down about 18 miles south of town. The most recent was an EF0 on September 21, 2017, which touched down about 15 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 34 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, 2003.
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 Carnelian Bay'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.
Carnelian Bay radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Carnelian Bay, CA?
KRGX (Reno, NV), about 49 miles northeast. KBBX (Beale AFB, CA) is 85 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Carnelian Bay?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Carnelian Bay the lowest scan from KRGX is about 3,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Carnelian Bay 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 Carnelian Bay, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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