Ottawa, OH Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ottawa, Putnam County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ottawa?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 82 days in the Putnam forecast zone and Putnam County — the most common reported hazard around Ottawa, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (35 days) and high winds (18 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 82 | May 2026 | May 18, 1997 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 35 | Jan 2026 | Jan 2, 1996 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 18 | Mar 2026 | Apr 28, 2011 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 11 | Apr 2025 | Mar 10, 2009 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 8 | Jun 2015 | Aug 22, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Dec 2022 | Feb 1, 1996 · $20,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 2008 | Feb 24, 2007 · $30,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 1 | Feb 2007 | — |
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 Putnam forecast zone and Putnam County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ottawa get?
A normal year brings about 11 inches of snow to Ottawa, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ottawa weather station 1.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (3.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 3.9 | 3.3 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 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 Ottawa?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 90 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Ottawa | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 90 mi west-northwest | 8,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 111 mi south | 11,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 116 mi east-northeast | 12,100 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 Ottawa
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 92 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ottawa, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on June 8, 1953, which passed about 16 miles north-northeast of town and caused 17 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 2, 2025, which passed about 18 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 161 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 8 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 25, 2011.
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 Ottawa'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.
Ottawa radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ottawa, OH?
KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 90 miles west-northwest. KILN (Wilmington, OH) is 111 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ottawa?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ottawa the lowest scan from KIWX is about 8,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Ottawa 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 Ottawa, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Pandora, OH radar 7 mi
- Columbus Grove, OH radar 7 mi
- Leipsic, OH radar 7 mi
- Kalida, OH radar 9 mi
- Bluffton, OH radar 12 mi
- Continental, OH radar 13 mi
- McComb, OH radar 14 mi
- Deshler, OH radar 15 mi
- Holgate, OH radar 17 mi
- Elida, OH radar 18 mi