Lee Vining, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lee Vining, Mono County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lee Vining?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 276 days in the Mono forecast zone and Mono County — the most common reported hazard around Lee Vining, mostly in February and December. Next come high winds (238 days) and debris flows (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 276 | Apr 2026 | Nov 19, 2010 · 1 death |
| High winds | 238 | May 2026 | Feb 6, 2001 · $300,000 damage |
| Debris flows | 19 | Aug 2025 | Jul 31, 2021 · $41,000 damage |
| Flooding | 10 | Jun 2024 | Jun 28, 2011 · $25,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 10 | Jul 2022 | Oct 18, 2015 · $300,000 damage |
| Avalanches | 9 | Dec 2025 | Dec 26, 2025 · 1 death |
| Wildfires | 6 | Nov 2025 | Nov 17, 2020 · 1 death |
| Blizzards | 5 | Feb 2023 | Dec 22, 1996 · $50,000 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 Mono forecast zone and Mono County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lee Vining get?
A normal year brings about 70 inches of snow to Lee Vining, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lee Vining weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (19.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 | 4.7 | 11.6 | 19.0 | 16.1 | 11.6 | 3.3 | 1.6 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Lee Vining?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHNX (San Joaquin Valley, CA), about 117 miles south-southwest. 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 Lee Vining | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHNX San Joaquin Valley, CA | 117 mi south-southwest | 12,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRGX Reno, NV | 126 mi north | 13,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDAX Sacramento, CA | 144 mi west-northwest | 17,000 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 Lee Vining
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Lee Vining since 1950.
Hail: 2 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.00-inch hail on July 14, 2014.
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 Lee Vining'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.
Lee Vining radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lee Vining, CA?
KHNX (San Joaquin Valley, CA), about 117 miles south-southwest. KRGX (Reno, NV) is 126 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lee Vining?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lee Vining the lowest scan from KHNX is about 12,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Lee Vining 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 Lee Vining, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Mammoth Lakes, CA radar 24 mi
- Bishop, CA radar 57 mi