Ochoco West, OR Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ochoco West, Crook County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ochoco West?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 49 days in the Ochoco-John Day Highlands forecast zone and Crook County — the most common reported hazard around Ochoco West, mostly in December and January. Next come wildfires (30 days) and high winds (8 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Wildfires | 30 | Sep 2018 | — |
| High winds | 8 | Mar 2021 | Sep 7, 2020 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 6 | May 2023 | Aug 8, 2019 · $20,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 6 | Jul 2024 | Aug 2, 2009 · $2,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Aug 2022 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | May 2016 | May 14, 2016 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Feb 2025 | — |
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 Ochoco-John Day Highlands forecast zone and Crook County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ochoco West get?
A normal year brings about 21 inches of snow to Ochoco West, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Grizzly weather station 7.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (7.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 2.0 | 7.2 | 5.1 | 4.1 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.2 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Ochoco West?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 135 miles northeast. 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 Ochoco West | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 135 mi northeast | 15,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRTX Portland, OR | 135 mi northwest | 15,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMAX Medford, OR | 184 mi south-southwest | 25,500 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 Ochoco West
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 3 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ochoco West. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F0 on June 9, 2004, which touched down about 19 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on July 28, 2025, which touched down about 16 miles west of town.
Hail: 48 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-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 Ochoco West'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.
Ochoco West radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ochoco West, OR?
KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 135 miles northeast. KRTX (Portland, OR) is 135 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ochoco West?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ochoco West the lowest scan from KPDT is about 15,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Ochoco West 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 Ochoco West, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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