Orofino, ID Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Orofino, Clearwater County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Orofino?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 75 days in the Orofino/Grangeville Region forecast zone and Clearwater County — the most common reported hazard around Orofino, mostly in December and February. Next come high winds (30 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 75 | Feb 2025 | Feb 8, 2008 · $7.5 million damage |
| High winds | 30 | Dec 2025 | Dec 17, 2025 · $140,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 20 | Aug 2022 | May 7, 2009 · $60,000 damage |
| Flooding | 9 | Mar 2026 | Mar 16, 2017 · $3.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 7 | Dec 2016 | — |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Aug 2024 | — |
| Wildfires | 2 | Sep 2020 | Aug 10, 2015 · 1 death · $8.5 million damage |
| Avalanches | 1 | Feb 2008 | — |
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 Orofino/Grangeville Region forecast zone and Clearwater County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Orofino get?
A normal year brings about 18 inches of snow to Orofino, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Dworshak Fish Hatchery weather station 3.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (8.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.7 | 8.1 | 6.3 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 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 Orofino?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 105 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 Orofino | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 105 mi northwest | 10,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 114 mi east-northeast | 11,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 136 mi west-southwest | 15,500 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 Orofino
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 3 tornadoes within 25 miles of Orofino, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F2 on May 8, 1962, which passed about 18 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on October 7, 2010, which touched down about 21 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 60 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 8 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 Orofino'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.
Orofino radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Orofino, ID?
KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 105 miles northwest. KMSX (Missoula, MT) is 114 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Orofino?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Orofino the lowest scan from KOTX is about 10,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Orofino 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 Orofino, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Kamiah, ID radar 21 mi
- Lapwai, ID radar 27 mi
- Genesee, ID radar 32 mi
- Lewiston, ID radar 36 mi
- Grangeville, ID radar 39 mi
- Moscow, ID radar 39 mi
- St. Maries, ID radar 59 mi