John Day, OR Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for John Day, Grant County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits John Day?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 21 days in the John Day Basin forecast zone and Grant County — the most common reported hazard around John Day, mostly in January and February. Next come wildfires (14 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 21 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Wildfires | 14 | Aug 2018 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 12 | Jul 2024 | Jul 11, 2001 · $15,000 damage |
| Flooding | 7 | Jan 2025 | Apr 8, 2019 · $1.4 million damage |
| High winds | 5 | Feb 2015 | — |
| Flash flooding | 4 | May 2018 | — |
| Excessive heat | 3 | Jun 2021 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Aug 2001 | — |
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 John Day Basin forecast zone and Grant County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does John Day get?
A normal year brings about 9.6 inches of snow to John Day, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the John Day weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (3.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.5 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 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 John Day?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 88 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 John Day | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 88 mi north | 7,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCBX Boise, ID | 150 mi east-southeast | 18,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRTX Portland, OR | 215 mi west-northwest | 33,100 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 John Day
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 2 tornadoes within 25 miles of John Day. The strongest was an EF0 on November 5, 2023, which touched down about 3 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 3 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on July 2, 1998.
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 John Day'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.
John Day radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to John Day, OR?
KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 88 miles north. KCBX (Boise, ID) is 150 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in John Day?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over John Day the lowest scan from KPDT is about 7,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for John Day 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 John Day, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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