Tahoma, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Tahoma, El Dorado County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Tahoma?
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 El Dorado County — the most common reported hazard around Tahoma, mostly in January and December. Next come high winds (161 days) and flooding (32 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 |
| Flooding | 32 | Apr 2026 | Jan 3, 2023 · 1 death |
| Avalanches | 16 | Feb 2026 | Feb 15, 2026 · 9 deaths |
| Debris flows | 13 | Oct 2021 | Feb 21, 2017 · $6.5 million damage |
| Blizzards | 4 | Jan 2021 | Mar 1, 2018 · 1 death |
| Wildfires | 3 | Jul 2017 | Jun 24, 2007 · $500 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 3 | Jul 2024 | Jan 1, 1997 · $10 million 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 Greater Lake Tahoe Area forecast zone and El Dorado County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Tahoma get?
A normal year brings about 179 inches of snow to Tahoma, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Tahoe City weather station 7.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (41.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 | 9.4 | 36.2 | 37.9 | 41.3 | 34.7 | 14.0 | 2.8 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Tahoma?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRGX (Reno, NV), about 60 miles 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 Tahoma | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRGX Reno, NV | 60 mi northeast | 4,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KBBX Beale AFB, CA | 85 mi west-northwest | 7,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDAX Sacramento, CA | 91 mi west-southwest | 8,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Tahoma
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 4 tornadoes within 25 miles of Tahoma. Most came in September and August. The strongest was an EF0 on July 8, 2015, which touched down about 7 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on September 21, 2017, which touched down about 9 miles east of town.
Hail: 28 reports 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, 2003.
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 Tahoma'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.
Tahoma radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Tahoma, CA?
KRGX (Reno, NV), about 60 miles northeast. KBBX (Beale AFB, CA) is 85 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Tahoma?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Tahoma the lowest scan from KRGX is about 4,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Tahoma 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 Tahoma, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- South Lake Tahoe, CA radar 12 mi
- Truckee, CA radar 20 mi
- Placerville, CA radar 42 mi
- Colfax, CA radar 44 mi
- Nevada City, CA radar 50 mi
- Grass Valley, CA radar 50 mi
- Auburn, CA radar 51 mi
- Portola, CA radar 56 mi
- Plymouth, CA radar 56 mi
- Sutter Creek, CA radar 58 mi