Coeur d'Alene, ID Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Coeur d'Alene?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 135 days in the Coeur d'Alene Area forecast zone and Kootenai County — the most common reported hazard around Coeur d'Alene, mostly in January and December. Next come flooding (28 days) and high winds (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 135 | Mar 2026 | Nov 16, 1996 · $6.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 28 | Feb 2025 | Mar 18, 2017 · $300,000 damage |
| High winds | 26 | Mar 2026 | Jan 13, 2021 · 1 death · $5.0 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 23 | Sep 2024 | Aug 28, 2011 · $300,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | Jun 2017 | Aug 10, 2013 · $200,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Feb 2014 | — |
| Debris flows | 5 | Mar 2018 | Mar 15, 2017 · $900,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 5 | May 2023 | Apr 13, 2000 · $15,000 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 Coeur d'Alene Area forecast zone and Kootenai County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Coeur d'Alene?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 39 miles west. 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 Coeur d'Alene | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 39 mi west | 2,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 139 mi east-southeast | 16,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 170 mi southwest | 22,200 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 Coeur d'Alene
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 5 tornadoes within 25 miles of Coeur d'Alene, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F2 on May 31, 1997, which passed about 15 miles northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 6, 2022, which touched down about 24 miles west of town.
Hail: 19 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 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 Coeur d'Alene'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.
Coeur d'Alene radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Coeur d'Alene, ID?
KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 39 miles west. KMSX (Missoula, MT) is 139 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Coeur d'Alene?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Coeur d'Alene the lowest scan from KOTX is about 2,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Coeur d'Alene 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 Coeur d'Alene, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Dalton Gardens, ID radar 2 mi
- Hayden, ID radar 5 mi
- Post Falls, ID radar 7 mi
- Rathdrum, ID radar 8 mi
- Spirit Lake, ID radar 18 mi
- Plummer, ID radar 26 mi
- Pinehurst, ID radar 29 mi
- St. Maries, ID radar 29 mi
- Kellogg, ID radar 33 mi
- Priest River, ID radar 34 mi