Lapwai, ID Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lapwai, Nez Perce County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lapwai?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 28 days in the Lewiston Area forecast zone and Nez Perce County — the most common reported hazard around Lapwai, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (19 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (17 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 28 | Jun 2023 | Jul 10, 1998 · $40,000 damage |
| High winds | 19 | Dec 2025 | Feb 2, 1999 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 17 | Apr 2022 | — |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Jun 2023 | May 8, 2005 · $4.0 million damage |
| Wildfires | 7 | Aug 2024 | Jul 24, 2024 · $12 million damage |
| Debris flows | 6 | Dec 2022 | Jun 1, 2015 · $5,000 damage |
| Flooding | 6 | May 2023 | Jun 12, 2022 · $1.0 million damage |
| Dust storms | 3 | Oct 2024 | Oct 4, 2024 · $60,000 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 Lewiston Area forecast zone and Nez Perce County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lapwai get?
A normal year brings about 13 inches of snow to Lapwai, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lewiston Nez Perce Co Ap weather station 10.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (4.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 1.3 | 4.1 | 2.7 | 3.8 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Lapwai?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 96 miles north-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 Lapwai | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 96 mi north-northwest | 9,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 110 mi west-southwest | 11,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 141 mi east-northeast | 16,400 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 Lapwai
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 7 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lapwai, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F2 on May 8, 1962, which crossed near town. The most recent was an F0 on May 31, 1997, which touched down about 8 miles west of town.
Hail: 61 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-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 Lapwai'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.
Lapwai radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lapwai, ID?
KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 96 miles north-northwest. KPDT (Pendleton, OR) is 110 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lapwai?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lapwai the lowest scan from KOTX is about 9,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Lapwai 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 Lapwai, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Lewiston, ID radar 9 mi
- Genesee, ID radar 12 mi
- Moscow, ID radar 24 mi
- Orofino, ID radar 27 mi
- Kamiah, ID radar 39 mi
- Grangeville, ID radar 46 mi