Portland, IN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Portland, Jay County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Portland?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 55 days in the Jay forecast zone and Jay County — the most common reported hazard around Portland, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (30 days) and flooding (9 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 55 | Jul 2025 | Aug 1, 2008 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 30 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 9 | Jul 2015 | Feb 28, 2011 · $1.5 million damage |
| High winds | 8 | Mar 2026 | Mar 13, 2026 · $28,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 8 | Jul 2025 | Jul 22, 1998 · $500,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 2008 | Feb 24, 2007 · $25,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | May 2010 | May 1, 2010 · $50,000 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 Jay forecast zone and Jay County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Portland get?
A normal year brings about 19 inches of snow to Portland, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Portland 1 Sw weather station 1.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (6.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.6 | 3.5 | 6.4 | 5.4 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 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 Portland?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 74 miles north-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 Portland | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 74 mi north-northwest | 6,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 85 mi southwest | 7,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 93 mi southeast | 8,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Portland
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 91 tornadoes within 25 miles of Portland, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 13 miles north-northwest of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 14, 2025, which touched down about 19 miles south of town.
Hail: 178 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 20 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 9, 2001.
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 Portland'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.
Portland radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Portland, IN?
KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 74 miles north-northwest. KIND (Indianapolis, IN) is 85 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Portland?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Portland the lowest scan from KIWX is about 6,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Portland 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 Portland, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Redkey, IN radar 11 mi
- Geneva, IN radar 11 mi
- Dunkirk, IN radar 13 mi
- Berne, IN radar 15 mi
- Albany, IN radar 16 mi
- Montpelier, IN radar 18 mi
- Winchester, IN radar 18 mi
- Union City, IN radar 19 mi
- Farmland, IN radar 19 mi
- Hartford City, IN radar 21 mi