Madeline, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Madeline, Lassen County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Madeline?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 193 days in the Lassen-Eastern Plumas-Eastern Sierra Counties forecast zone and Lassen County — the most common reported hazard around Madeline, mostly in December and January. Next come high winds (92 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (10 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 193 | Feb 2026 | Jan 22, 1997 · $200,000 damage |
| High winds | 92 | Apr 2026 | Dec 14, 2002 · $220,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 10 | Jun 2017 | Jul 23, 2003 · $2,000 damage |
| Flooding | 8 | Dec 2025 | Dec 31, 2005 · $5.0 million damage |
| Debris flows | 5 | Jul 2025 | Jul 30, 2025 · $15,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 3 | Sep 2019 | Jun 23, 2007 · $75,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Dec 2013 | — |
| Flash flooding | 2 | Oct 2021 | — |
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 Lassen-Eastern Plumas-Eastern Sierra Counties forecast zone and Lassen County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Madeline?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRGX (Reno, NV), about 104 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 Madeline | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRGX Reno, NV | 104 mi south-southeast | 10,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBBX Beale AFB, CA | 124 mi south-southwest | 13,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMAX Medford, OR | 136 mi west-northwest | 15,500 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 Madeline
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Madeline since 1950.
Hail: 1 report of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-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 Madeline'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.
Madeline radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Madeline, CA?
KRGX (Reno, NV), about 104 miles south-southeast. KBBX (Beale AFB, CA) is 124 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Madeline?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Madeline the lowest scan from KRGX is about 10,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Madeline 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 Madeline, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Alturas, CA radar 31 mi
- Susanville, CA radar 43 mi