Captain Cook, HI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Captain Cook, Hawaii in Hawaii County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Captain Cook?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 106 days in the Kona forecast zone and Hawaii in Hawaii County — the most common reported hazard around Captain Cook, mostly in December and March. Next come flooding (71 days) and wildfires (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 106 | Jun 2026 | Feb 18, 2018 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 71 | Jan 2026 | Aug 25, 2024 · $5.0 million damage |
| Wildfires | 39 | Dec 2018 | Jan 21, 2006 · $50,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | Feb 2023 | Oct 12, 2017 · $15,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 6 | Feb 2018 | Feb 18, 2018 · 1 death |
| High winds | 4 | Mar 2026 | Mar 14, 2026 · $200,000 damage |
| Debris flows | 3 | Nov 2023 | — |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 2 | Aug 2024 | Aug 25, 2024 · $10,000 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 Kona forecast zone and Hawaii in Hawaii County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Captain Cook?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is PHWA (South Shore, HI), about 36 miles 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 Captain Cook | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHWA South Shore, HI | 36 mi southeast | 2,300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| PHKM Kohala, HI | 44 mi north | 3,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| PHMO Molokai, HI | 139 mi northwest | 16,100 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 Captain Cook
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Captain Cook, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. The strongest was an F2 on January 28, 1971, which touched down about 14 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 2 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.00-inch hail on March 24, 2006.
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 Captain Cook'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.
Captain Cook radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Captain Cook, HI?
PHWA (South Shore, HI), about 36 miles southeast. PHKM (Kohala, HI) is 44 miles away and also covers the area.
How often does Captain Cook flood?
Since 1996 the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 106 days in the Kona forecast zone and Hawaii in Hawaii County; the deadliest was on February 18, 2018, 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 Captain Cook 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 Captain Cook, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.