Lake City, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lake City, Modoc County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lake City?
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 Lake City, 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 Lake City get?
A normal year brings about 22 inches of snow to Lake City, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cedarville weather station 8.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (6.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.8 | 6.6 | 6.1 | 3.3 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 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 Lake City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMAX (Medford, OR), about 132 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 Lake City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMAX Medford, OR | 132 mi west-northwest | 14,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRGX Reno, NV | 137 mi south-southeast | 15,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBBX Beale AFB, CA | 166 mi south-southwest | 21,400 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 Lake City
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Lake City since 1950.
Hail: 2 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.50-inch hail on July 23, 1958.
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 Lake City'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.
Lake City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lake City, CA?
KMAX (Medford, OR), about 132 miles west-northwest. KRGX (Reno, NV) is 137 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lake City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lake City 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 Lake City 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 Lake City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Alturas, CA radar 20 mi