Rockford Bay, ID Live Doppler Radar

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

What weather hits Rockford Bay?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 135 days in the Coeur d'Alene Area forecast zone and Kootenai County — the most common reported hazard around Rockford Bay, mostly in January and December. Next come flooding (28 days) and high winds (26 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Heavy snow & winter storms135Mar 2026Nov 16, 1996 · $6.0 million damage
Flooding28Feb 2025Mar 18, 2017 · $300,000 damage
High winds26Mar 2026Jan 13, 2021 · 1 death · $5.0 million damage
Damaging thunderstorm winds23Sep 2024Aug 28, 2011 · $300,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage8Jun 2017Aug 10, 2013 · $200,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill5Feb 2014—
Debris flows5Mar 2018Mar 15, 2017 · $900,000 damage
Flash flooding5May 2023Apr 13, 2000 · $15,000 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 Coeur d'Alene Area forecast zone and Kootenai County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Rockford Bay?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 36 miles west-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 Rockford BayView
KOTX
Spokane, WA
36 mi west-northwest2,300 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KMSX
Missoula, MT
140 mi east-southeast16,200 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KPDT
Pendleton, OR
157 mi southwest19,500 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 Rockford Bay

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 6 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rockford Bay, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F2 on May 6, 1957, which touched down about 15 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 6, 2022, which touched down about 22 miles west-northwest of town.

Hail: 19 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on August 11, 2022.

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 Rockford Bay'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.

Rockford Bay radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Rockford Bay, ID?

KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 36 miles west-northwest. KMSX (Missoula, MT) is 140 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Rockford Bay?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rockford Bay the lowest scan from KOTX is about 2,300 ft up.

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

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