Fort Bidwell, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fort Bidwell, Modoc County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fort Bidwell?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 23 days in the Surprise Valley California forecast zone and Modoc County — the most common reported hazard around Fort Bidwell, mostly in December and February. Next come high winds (23 days) and flooding (9 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 23 | Mar 2021 | — |
| High winds | 23 | Dec 2025 | Feb 14, 2011 · $15,000 damage |
| Flooding | 9 | Feb 2025 | Jan 1, 1997 · $330 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 5 | Jul 2015 | Jul 6, 2011 · $20,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 4 | Apr 2019 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 1 | Jan 1997 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Sep 2003 | — |
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 Surprise Valley California forecast zone and Modoc County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Fort Bidwell get?
A normal year brings about 56 inches of snow to Fort Bidwell, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ft Bidwell weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (15.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 6.5 | 12.9 | 15.1 | 11.0 | 6.2 | 3.2 | 0.5 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Fort Bidwell?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMAX (Medford, OR), about 132 miles west. 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 Fort Bidwell | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMAX Medford, OR | 132 mi west | 14,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRGX Reno, NV | 150 mi south-southeast | 18,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBBX Beale AFB, CA | 181 mi south-southwest | 24,700 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 Fort Bidwell
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Fort Bidwell since 1950.
Hail: 1 report of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.00-inch hail on May 11, 2015.
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 Fort Bidwell'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.
Fort Bidwell radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fort Bidwell, CA?
KMAX (Medford, OR), about 132 miles west. KRGX (Reno, NV) is 150 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fort Bidwell?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fort Bidwell the lowest scan from KMAX is about 14,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Fort Bidwell 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 Fort Bidwell, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Alturas, CA radar 33 mi