Princeton, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Princeton, Colusa County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Princeton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 16 days in the Eastern Colusa County forecast zone and Colusa County — the most common reported hazard around Princeton, mostly in February and January. Next come flash flooding (1 days) and wildfires (1 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 16 | Dec 2025 | Dec 26, 2025 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 1 | Jan 1997 | — |
| Wildfires | 1 | Oct 1999 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 1 | Apr 2016 | — |
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 Eastern Colusa County forecast zone and Colusa County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Princeton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBBX (Beale AFB, CA), about 22 miles east-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 Princeton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBBX Beale AFB, CA | 22 mi east-northeast | 1,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDAX Sacramento, CA | 65 mi south-southeast | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRGX Reno, NV | 138 mi east | 15,900 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 Princeton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 21 tornadoes within 25 miles of Princeton. Most came in March and January. The strongest was an EF1 on May 25, 2011, which passed about 11 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on February 2, 2019, which touched down about 4 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 5 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.25-inch hail on February 2, 2019.
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 Princeton'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.
Princeton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Princeton, CA?
KBBX (Beale AFB, CA), about 22 miles east-northeast. KDAX (Sacramento, CA) is 65 miles away and also covers the area.
How often does Princeton flood?
Since 1996 the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 16 days in the Eastern Colusa County forecast zone and Colusa County; the deadliest was on December 26, 2025, with 1 death. TALON's free flash-flood risk layer shows, every 2 minutes, how close the rain that has fallen is to what it takes to flood — turn it on under Layers.
Is TALON's radar for Princeton 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 Princeton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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