Washington, LA Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Washington, St. Landry County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for WashingtonWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Washington?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 105 days in the St. Landry forecast zone and St. Landry County — the most common reported hazard around Washington, mostly in April and May. Next come flash flooding (37 days) and flooding (11 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds105May 2026Jun 9, 2015 · 1 death · $5,000 damage
Flash flooding37Jun 2026Aug 12, 2016 · $30 million damage
Flooding11Jun 2026Jan 10, 2013 · $42 million damage
Hurricanes & tropical storms8Oct 2020Sep 1, 2008 · $125 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms6Jan 2025—
Lightning casualties & damage6May 2013Aug 1, 2001 · $75,000 damage
Excessive heat3Aug 2023—
High winds3Oct 2009Dec 16, 2000 · 2 deaths · $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 St. Landry forecast zone and St. Landry County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Washington?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPOE (Fort Polk, LA), about 66 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over WashingtonView
KPOE
Fort Polk, LA		66 mi northwest5,200 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KLCH
Lake Charles, LA		77 mi west-southwest6,500 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KHDC
Hammond, LA		99 mi east9,400 ftFair — 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 Washington

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 157 tornadoes within 25 miles of Washington, 39 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and December. The strongest was an F3 on November 7, 1957, which passed about 17 miles south of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on March 31, 2025, which touched down about 7 miles northwest of town.

Hail: 102 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 5, 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 Washington'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.

Washington radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Washington, LA?

KPOE (Fort Polk, LA), about 66 miles northwest. KLCH (Lake Charles, LA) is 77 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Washington?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Washington the lowest scan from KPOE is about 5,200 ft up.

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

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