Pilot Rock, OR Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Pilot Rock, Umatilla County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Pilot Rock?
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 Pilot Rock, 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 Pilot Rock get?
A normal year brings about 10 inches of snow to Pilot Rock, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Pilot Rock 1 Se weather station 1.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (3.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.1 | 2.6 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 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 Pilot Rock?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 14 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 Pilot Rock | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 14 mi north | 700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 162 mi north-northeast | 20,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCBX Boise, ID | 188 mi southeast | 26,400 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 Pilot Rock
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 4 tornadoes within 25 miles of Pilot Rock. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an EF1 on May 6, 2009, which touched down about 22 miles northeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 11, 2022, which touched down about 9 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 30 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 Pilot Rock'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.
Pilot Rock radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Pilot Rock, OR?
KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 14 miles north. KOTX (Spokane, WA) is 162 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Pilot Rock?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Pilot Rock the lowest scan from KPDT is about 700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Pilot Rock 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 Pilot Rock, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Pendleton, OR radar 13 mi
- Stanfield, OR radar 27 mi
- Athena, OR radar 28 mi
- Hermiston, OR radar 32 mi
- Heppner, OR radar 37 mi
- Milton-Freewater, OR radar 37 mi
- La Grande, OR radar 38 mi
- Umatilla, OR radar 38 mi
- Island City, OR radar 39 mi
- Irrigon, OR radar 42 mi