White Bird, ID Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for White Bird, Idaho County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits White Bird?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 28 days in the Lower Hells Canyon/Salmon River Region forecast zone and Idaho County — the most common reported hazard around White Bird, mostly in August and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (19 days) and flash flooding (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 28 | May 2026 | Jul 24, 2024 · $475,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 19 | Feb 2025 | Nov 13, 2014 · $2,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Sep 2025 | Apr 14, 2024 · $8.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Aug 2024 | — |
| Flooding | 6 | May 2023 | Apr 9, 2019 · $6.0 million damage |
| High winds | 3 | Nov 2007 | Nov 12, 2007 · $60,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 1 | Jan 2002 | — |
| Debris flows | 1 | Jul 2020 | Jul 3, 2020 · $180,000 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 Lower Hells Canyon/Salmon River Region forecast zone and Idaho County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover White Bird?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 123 miles west. 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 White Bird | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 123 mi west | 13,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 141 mi northeast | 16,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 147 mi north-northwest | 17,500 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 White Bird
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of White Bird. The strongest was an F0 on April 11, 1979, which touched down about 14 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 25 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on August 9, 2019.
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 White Bird'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.
White Bird radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to White Bird, ID?
KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 123 miles west. KMSX (Missoula, MT) is 141 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in White Bird?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over White Bird the lowest scan from KPDT is about 13,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for White Bird 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 White Bird, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Grangeville, ID radar 14 mi
- Kamiah, ID radar 35 mi
- Orofino, ID radar 50 mi
- Lapwai, ID radar 50 mi
- Lewiston, ID radar 55 mi
- McCall, ID radar 60 mi