Ontario, OR Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ontario, Malheur County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ontario?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 28 days in the Oregon Lower Treasure Valley forecast zone and Malheur County — the most common reported hazard around Ontario, mostly in July and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (18 days) and flash flooding (15 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 28 | Sep 2025 | Oct 25, 1997 · $800 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 18 | Jan 2024 | Jan 18, 2017 · $100 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Jun 2023 | Jun 12, 1998 · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 8 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Wildfires | 4 | Jul 2002 | — |
| High winds | 1 | Feb 2000 | — |
| Debris flows | 1 | Jul 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 Oregon Lower Treasure Valley forecast zone and Malheur County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ontario get?
A normal year brings about 15 inches of snow to Ontario, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Malheur Branch Exp Stn weather station 4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (6.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 1.1 | 5.4 | 6.1 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 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 Ontario?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCBX (Boise, ID), about 52 miles southeast. 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 Ontario | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCBX Boise, ID | 52 mi southeast | 3,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 147 mi northwest | 17,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KSFX Pocatello, ID | 224 mi east-southeast | 35,400 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 Ontario
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 12 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ontario. Most came in April and August. The strongest was an F1 on August 25, 1966, which crossed near town. The most recent was an F0 on August 25, 2004, which touched down about 19 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 22 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 July 26, 2003.
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 Ontario'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.
Ontario radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ontario, OR?
KCBX (Boise, ID), about 52 miles southeast. KPDT (Pendleton, OR) is 147 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ontario?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ontario the lowest scan from KCBX is about 3,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ontario 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 Ontario, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Nyssa, OR radar 10 mi
- Vale, OR radar 13 mi