Helix, OR Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Helix, Umatilla County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Helix?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 46 days in the Foothills of the Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon forecast zone and Umatilla County — the most common reported hazard around Helix, mostly in November and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (43 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 46 | Apr 2026 | Feb 22, 2012 · $5,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 43 | Apr 2026 | Jul 8, 2012 · $51,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 22 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 13 | Apr 2026 | Feb 6, 2020 · 1 death · $40 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | May 2011 | Apr 21, 2011 · $2,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 8 | Jun 2020 | Oct 28, 2003 · $240,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Jul 2023 | — |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Jun 2017 | Apr 26, 2005 · $170,000 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 Foothills of the Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon forecast zone and Umatilla County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Helix get?
A normal year brings about 15 inches of snow to Helix, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Pendleton Branch Exp Stn weather station 9.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.5 | 4.8 | 5.3 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 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 Helix?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 14 miles southwest. 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 Helix | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 14 mi southwest | 800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 136 mi north-northeast | 15,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCBX Boise, ID | 202 mi southeast | 29,700 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 Helix
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 11 tornadoes within 25 miles of Helix, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F2 on June 26, 1958, which touched down about 20 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on March 5, 2024, which touched down about 12 miles east of town.
Hail: 23 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on May 30, 2020.
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 Helix'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.
Helix radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Helix, OR?
KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 14 miles southwest. KOTX (Spokane, WA) is 136 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Helix?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Helix the lowest scan from KPDT is about 800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Helix 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 Helix, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Athena, OR radar 8 mi
- Milton-Freewater, OR radar 14 mi
- Pendleton, OR radar 14 mi
- Pilot Rock, OR radar 26 mi
- Stanfield, OR radar 27 mi
- Hermiston, OR radar 30 mi
- Umatilla, OR radar 33 mi
- Irrigon, OR radar 40 mi
- Elgin, OR radar 41 mi
- La Grande, OR radar 46 mi