Athol, ID Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Athol, Kootenai County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for AtholWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Athol?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 277 days in the Northern Panhandle forecast zone and Kootenai County — the most common reported hazard around Athol, mostly in December and January. Next come wildfires (32 days) and flooding (29 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Heavy snow & winter storms277Mar 2026Dec 18, 1999 · $200,000 damage
Wildfires32Oct 2025Sep 1, 2025 · $18 million damage
Flooding29Feb 2025Jun 1, 1997 · $4.0 million damage
High winds24Apr 2026Nov 17, 2015 · 1 death
Damaging thunderstorm winds23Sep 2024Aug 28, 2011 · $300,000 damage
Debris flows10Mar 2018Mar 15, 2017 · $900,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill8Feb 2014Jan 11, 1998 · $50,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage8Jun 2017Aug 10, 2013 · $200,000 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 Northern Panhandle forecast zone and Kootenai County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Athol get?

A normal year brings about 27 inches of snow to Athol, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bayview Model Basin weather station 7.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (12.1 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.01.412.18.73.21.80.00.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Athol?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 46 miles west-southwest. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over AtholView
KOTX
Spokane, WA		46 mi west-southwest3,200 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KMSX
Missoula, MT		142 mi east-southeast16,600 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KPDT
Pendleton, OR		186 mi southwest25,900 ftLimited — 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 Athol

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 3 tornadoes within 25 miles of Athol, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and April. The strongest was an F2 on May 31, 1997, which passed about 4 miles east-southeast of town.

Hail: 24 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on August 11, 2022.

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 Athol'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.

Athol radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Athol, ID?

KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 46 miles west-southwest. KMSX (Missoula, MT) is 142 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Athol?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Athol the lowest scan from KOTX is about 3,200 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Athol 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 Athol, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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