Smith Valley, NV Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Smith Valley, Lyon County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Smith Valley?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 129 days in the Mineral and Southern Lyon Counties forecast zone and Lyon County — the most common reported hazard around Smith Valley, mostly in December and February. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (34 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (21 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 129 | May 2026 | Dec 30, 2022 · $5.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 34 | Feb 2024 | Dec 30, 2022 · $5.0 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 21 | May 2026 | Jul 12, 2002 · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 21 | Jun 2026 | Jan 5, 2008 · $6.6 million damage |
| Flooding | 9 | Mar 2023 | Jan 1, 1997 · $640 million damage |
| Dust storms | 5 | Jul 2021 | — |
| Debris flows | 5 | Mar 2023 | Sep 14, 2013 · $5,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Jul 2007 | Jul 6, 2007 · $40,000 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 Mineral and Southern Lyon Counties forecast zone and Lyon County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Smith Valley?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRGX (Reno, NV), about 67 miles north. 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 Smith Valley | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRGX Reno, NV | 67 mi north | 5,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDAX Sacramento, CA | 126 mi west | 13,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBBX Beale AFB, CA | 131 mi west-northwest | 14,600 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 Smith Valley
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 2 tornadoes within 25 miles of Smith Valley. The strongest was an F1 on May 26, 1964, which touched down about 17 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an F0 on June 7, 1989, which touched down about 14 miles north of town.
Hail: 5 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on July 28, 1982.
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 Smith Valley'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.
Smith Valley radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Smith Valley, NV?
KRGX (Reno, NV), about 67 miles north. KDAX (Sacramento, CA) is 126 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Smith Valley?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Smith Valley the lowest scan from KRGX is about 5,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Smith Valley 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 Smith Valley, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Yerington, NV radar 18 mi
- Carson, NV radar 32 mi
- Fernley, NV radar 55 mi
- Fallon, NV radar 57 mi
- Sparks, NV radar 57 mi
- Reno, NV radar 59 mi