Ponderay, ID Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ponderay, Bonner County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ponderay?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 277 days in the Northern Panhandle forecast zone and Bonner County — the most common reported hazard around Ponderay, mostly in December and January. Next come wildfires (30 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 277 | Mar 2026 | Dec 18, 1999 · $200,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 30 | Oct 2025 | Sep 1, 2025 · $18 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 26 | Sep 2024 | Sep 25, 2024 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| High winds | 24 | Apr 2026 | Nov 17, 2015 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 21 | Dec 2025 | Jun 1, 1997 · $4.0 million damage |
| Debris flows | 10 | Jan 2023 | Apr 6, 2011 · $800,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Feb 2014 | Jan 11, 1998 · $50,000 damage |
| Avalanches | 3 | Mar 2024 | Feb 22, 2003 · 2 deaths |
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 Panhandle forecast zone and Bonner County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ponderay get?
A normal year brings about 62 inches of snow to Ponderay, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sandpoint Exp Stn weather station 1.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (20.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 6.4 | 19.3 | 20.9 | 8.4 | 6.5 | 0.5 | 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 Ponderay?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 66 miles southwest. 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 Ponderay | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 66 mi southwest | 5,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 147 mi southeast | 17,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 211 mi south-southwest | 32,000 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 Ponderay
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 4 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ponderay, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and April. The strongest was an F2 on April 9, 1991, which touched down about 19 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an F0 on June 25, 2004, which passed about 17 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 15 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on July 24, 1983.
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 Ponderay'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.
Ponderay radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ponderay, ID?
KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 66 miles southwest. KMSX (Missoula, MT) is 147 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ponderay?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ponderay the lowest scan from KOTX is about 5,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ponderay 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 Ponderay, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Kootenai, ID radar 1 mi
- Sandpoint, ID radar 2 mi
- Dover, ID radar 5 mi
- Priest River, ID radar 19 mi
- Spirit Lake, ID radar 28 mi
- Bonners Ferry, ID radar 29 mi
- Moyie Springs, ID radar 33 mi
- Rathdrum, ID radar 39 mi
- Hayden, ID radar 39 mi
- Dalton Gardens, ID radar 41 mi