Kennedy Meadows, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kennedy Meadows, Tulare County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kennedy Meadows?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 89 days in the South End of the Upper Sierra forecast zone and Tulare County — the most common reported hazard around Kennedy Meadows, mostly in February and November. Next come flooding (86 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 89 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 86 | Dec 2025 | Jan 10, 2023 · 2 deaths · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 26 | Nov 2025 | — |
| 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 | — |
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 Upper Sierra forecast zone and Tulare County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Kennedy Meadows?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEYX (Edwards AFB, CA), about 70 miles south-southeast. 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 Kennedy Meadows | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEYX Edwards AFB, CA | 70 mi south-southeast | 5,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KHNX San Joaquin Valley, CA | 88 mi west-northwest | 7,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KVTX Los Angeles, CA | 126 mi south-southwest | 13,700 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 Kennedy Meadows
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Kennedy Meadows since 1950.
Hail: 1 report of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.00-inch hail on June 16, 2004.
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 Kennedy 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.
Kennedy Meadows radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kennedy Meadows, CA?
KEYX (Edwards AFB, CA), about 70 miles south-southeast. KHNX (San Joaquin Valley, CA) is 88 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Kennedy Meadows?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kennedy Meadows the lowest scan from KEYX is about 5,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Kennedy 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 Kennedy Meadows, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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