Mesa Vista, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Mesa Vista, Alpine County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Mesa Vista?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 364 days in the Greater Lake Tahoe Area forecast zone and Alpine County — the most common reported hazard around Mesa Vista, mostly in January and December. Next come high winds (161 days) and avalanches (16 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 364 | Apr 2026 | Dec 20, 1996 · 2 deaths · $75,000 damage |
| High winds | 161 | Apr 2026 | Dec 11, 2014 · 1 death · $200,000 damage |
| Avalanches | 16 | Feb 2026 | Feb 15, 2026 · 9 deaths |
| Debris flows | 12 | Aug 2025 | Dec 22, 2005 · $2,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 4 | Jan 2021 | Mar 1, 2018 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 3 | Jul 2021 | Dec 31, 2005 · $1.0 million damage |
| Wildfires | 2 | Jul 2017 | Jun 24, 2007 · $500 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 1 | Jan 1997 | — |
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 Greater Lake Tahoe Area forecast zone and Alpine County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Mesa Vista get?
A normal year brings about 77 inches of snow to Mesa Vista, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Markleeville weather station 8.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (20.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 4.0 | 18.7 | 11.9 | 20.7 | 13.0 | 6.6 | 1.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Mesa Vista?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRGX (Reno, NV), about 68 miles north-northeast. 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 Mesa Vista | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRGX Reno, NV | 68 mi north-northeast | 5,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDAX Sacramento, CA | 103 mi west-southwest | 10,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBBX Beale AFB, CA | 109 mi west-northwest | 10,900 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 Mesa Vista
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 2 tornadoes within 25 miles of Mesa Vista. The strongest was an EF0 on July 8, 2015, which touched down about 16 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on September 21, 2017, which touched down about 18 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 18 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on August 20, 2017.
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 Mesa Vista'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.
Mesa Vista radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Mesa Vista, CA?
KRGX (Reno, NV), about 68 miles north-northeast. KDAX (Sacramento, CA) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Mesa Vista?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Mesa Vista the lowest scan from KRGX is about 5,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Mesa Vista 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 Mesa Vista, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Truckee, CA radar 43 mi
- Placerville, CA radar 54 mi
- Sutter Creek, CA radar 61 mi
- Jackson, CA radar 61 mi
- Plymouth, CA radar 62 mi