Elk River, ID Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Elk River, Clearwater County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Elk River?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 194 days in the Northern Clearwater Mountains forecast zone and Clearwater County — the most common reported hazard around Elk River, mostly in December and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (20 days) and flooding (8 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 194 | Dec 2025 | Jan 23, 1996 · $8,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 20 | Aug 2022 | May 7, 2009 · $60,000 damage |
| Flooding | 8 | Mar 2026 | Mar 16, 2017 · $3.0 million damage |
| High winds | 4 | Dec 2025 | Dec 17, 2025 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Jul 2024 | — |
| Flash flooding | 1 | Dec 2005 | Dec 23, 2005 · $15,000 damage |
| Debris flows | 1 | Jul 2021 | — |
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 Clearwater Mountains forecast zone and Clearwater County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Elk River?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 92 miles northwest. 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 Elk River | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 92 mi northwest | 8,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 105 mi east | 10,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 148 mi west-southwest | 17,800 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 Elk River
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Elk River. The strongest was an EF0 on June 29, 2007, which touched down about 24 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 21 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 14, 1975.
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 Elk River'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.
Elk River radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Elk River, ID?
KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 92 miles northwest. KMSX (Missoula, MT) is 105 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Elk River?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Elk River the lowest scan from KOTX is about 8,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Elk River 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 Elk River, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Orofino, ID radar 21 mi
- Genesee, ID radar 39 mi
- Moscow, ID radar 39 mi
- Kamiah, ID radar 39 mi
- Lapwai, ID radar 40 mi
- St. Maries, ID radar 41 mi
- Lewiston, ID radar 47 mi
- Plummer, ID radar 50 mi
- Osburn, ID radar 51 mi
- Kellogg, ID radar 52 mi