Moscow, ID Live Doppler Radar

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

What weather hits Moscow?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 107 days in the Idaho Palouse forecast zone and Latah County — the most common reported hazard around Moscow, mostly in January and December. Next come flooding (26 days) and high winds (18 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Heavy snow & winter storms107Feb 2026Dec 20, 1997 · 1 death
Flooding26Mar 2026Mar 15, 2017 · $800,000 damage
High winds18Dec 2025Feb 2, 1999 · $1.0 million damage
Damaging thunderstorm winds13Sep 2024Jun 9, 2023 · $150,000 damage
Flash flooding8May 2023May 6, 2005 · $1.0 million damage
Debris flows3May 2018May 20, 2018 · $500 damage
Dust storms2Sep 2024—
Blizzards2Dec 2010—

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 Idaho Palouse forecast zone and Latah County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Moscow get?

A normal year brings about 51 inches of snow to Moscow, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Moscow U Of I weather station 2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (15.5 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.26.015.514.58.64.91.00.2

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

Which radars cover Moscow?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 72 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over MoscowView
KOTX
Spokane, WA
72 mi north-northwest5,900 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KPDT
Pendleton, OR
114 mi southwest11,800 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KMSX
Missoula, MT
144 mi east17,000 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 Moscow

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 9 tornadoes within 25 miles of Moscow, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F2 on May 8, 1962, which passed about 25 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an F0 on May 31, 1997, which touched down about 22 miles south of town.

Hail: 36 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on July 20, 2012.

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 Moscow'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.

Moscow radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Moscow, ID?

KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 72 miles north-northwest. KPDT (Pendleton, OR) is 114 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Moscow?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Moscow the lowest scan from KOTX is about 5,900 ft up.

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

Radar for nearby towns

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