Princeton, ID Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Princeton, Latah County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Princeton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 264 days in the Central Panhandle Mountains forecast zone and Latah County — the most common reported hazard around Princeton, mostly in December and January. Next come wildfires (35 days) and flooding (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 264 | Mar 2026 | Jan 15, 2005 · 2 deaths |
| Wildfires | 35 | Jun 2026 | Aug 3, 2023 · $24 million damage |
| Flooding | 29 | Mar 2026 | Mar 15, 2017 · $800,000 damage |
| High winds | 16 | Dec 2025 | Feb 2, 1999 · $500,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 13 | Sep 2024 | Jun 9, 2023 · $150,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 8 | May 2023 | May 6, 2005 · $1.0 million damage |
| Debris flows | 6 | May 2018 | Mar 30, 2012 · $768,000 damage |
| Avalanches | 4 | Mar 2026 | Jan 7, 2020 · 3 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 Central Panhandle Mountains forecast zone and Latah County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Princeton get?
A normal year brings about 41 inches of snow to Princeton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Potlatch 3 Nne weather station 3.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (13.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 5.2 | 10.6 | 13.1 | 7.6 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 0.2 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Princeton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 65 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 Princeton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 65 mi northwest | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 129 mi southwest | 14,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 134 mi east | 15,200 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 Princeton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 4 tornadoes within 25 miles of Princeton, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and August. The strongest was an F2 on August 30, 1971, which touched down about 25 miles west of town. The most recent was an F0 on September 14, 1986, which touched down about 15 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 28 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-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 Princeton'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.
Princeton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Princeton, ID?
KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 65 miles northwest. KPDT (Pendleton, OR) is 129 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Princeton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Princeton the lowest scan from KOTX is about 5,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Princeton 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 Princeton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Moscow, ID radar 15 mi
- Genesee, ID radar 26 mi
- Plummer, ID radar 29 mi
- St. Maries, ID radar 30 mi
- Lapwai, ID radar 36 mi
- Lewiston, ID radar 37 mi
- Orofino, ID radar 40 mi
- Pinehurst, ID radar 51 mi
- Kellogg, ID radar 54 mi
- Coeur d'Alene, ID radar 54 mi