Idlewild, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Idlewild, Tulare County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Idlewild?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 86 days in the South End of the Lower Sierra forecast zone and Tulare County — the most common reported hazard around Idlewild, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (22 days) and wildfires (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 86 | Dec 2025 | Jan 10, 2023 · 2 deaths · $100,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 22 | Mar 2023 | Apr 7, 2001 · $19 million damage |
| Wildfires | 22 | Nov 2003 | Aug 1, 2002 · $46 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 20 | Sep 2017 | Jul 28, 2005 · 2 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 17 | Oct 2021 | Jul 22, 2013 · $225,000 damage |
| Debris flows | 11 | Jul 2024 | — |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Oct 2024 | — |
| High winds | 4 | Nov 2024 | — |
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 Lower Sierra forecast zone and Tulare County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Idlewild get?
A normal year brings about 6.2 inches of snow to Idlewild, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Glennville weather station 6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (1.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Idlewild?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHNX (San Joaquin Valley, CA), about 64 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 Idlewild | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHNX San Joaquin Valley, CA | 64 mi west-northwest | 5,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KEYX Edwards AFB, CA | 79 mi southeast | 6,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KVTX Los Angeles, CA | 101 mi south-southwest | 9,700 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 Idlewild
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Idlewild 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 Idlewild'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.
Idlewild radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Idlewild, CA?
KHNX (San Joaquin Valley, CA), about 64 miles west-northwest. KEYX (Edwards AFB, CA) is 79 miles away and also covers the area.
How often does Idlewild flood?
Since 1996 the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 86 days in the South End of the Lower Sierra forecast zone and Tulare County; the deadliest was on January 10, 2023, with 2 deaths. 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 Idlewild 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 Idlewild, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Porterville, CA radar 27 mi
- McFarland, CA radar 33 mi
- Delano, CA radar 33 mi
- Lindsay, CA radar 36 mi
- Shafter, CA radar 38 mi
- Bakersfield, CA radar 38 mi
- Wasco, CA radar 42 mi
- Exeter, CA radar 43 mi
- Arvin, CA radar 43 mi
- Farmersville, CA radar 46 mi