Potter Valley, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Potter Valley, Mendocino County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Potter Valley?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 34 days in the Northwestern Interior Mendocino forecast zone and Mendocino County — the most common reported hazard around Potter Valley, mostly in January and February. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (12 days) and high winds (10 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 34 | Jan 2026 | Dec 15, 2016 · $1.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 12 | Feb 2023 | Jan 26, 2021 · $6,000 damage |
| High winds | 10 | Dec 2025 | Mar 1, 2024 · $8,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 1 | Sep 2003 | — |
| Flash flooding | 1 | Oct 2018 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 1 | Jan 2026 | — |
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 Northwestern Interior Mendocino forecast zone and Mendocino County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Potter Valley?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBBX (Beale AFB, CA), about 80 miles east. 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 Potter Valley | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBBX Beale AFB, CA | 80 mi east | 6,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDAX Sacramento, CA | 95 mi southeast | 9,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KBHX Eureka, CA | 103 mi northwest | 10,000 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 Potter Valley
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Potter Valley. The strongest was an F0 on December 11, 1983, which touched down about 13 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 1 report of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.50-inch hail on September 25, 1990.
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 Potter Valley'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.
Potter Valley radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Potter Valley, CA?
KBBX (Beale AFB, CA), about 80 miles east. KDAX (Sacramento, CA) is 95 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Potter Valley?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Potter Valley the lowest scan from KBBX is about 6,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Potter Valley 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 Potter Valley, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Ukiah, CA radar 13 mi
- Willits, CA radar 14 mi
- Lakeport, CA radar 22 mi
- Clearlake, CA radar 36 mi
- Cloverdale, CA radar 36 mi
- Fort Bragg, CA radar 38 mi
- Healdsburg, CA radar 50 mi
- Willows, CA radar 51 mi
- Williams, CA radar 53 mi
- Windsor, CA radar 56 mi