Pistol River, OR Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Pistol River, Curry County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Pistol River?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 290 days in the Curry County Coast forecast zone and Curry County — the most common reported hazard around Pistol River, mostly in December and January. Next come wildfires (31 days) and flooding (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 290 | Feb 2026 | Feb 11, 2010 · 1 death |
| Wildfires | 31 | Oct 2023 | — |
| Flooding | 29 | Mar 2025 | Nov 29, 2012 · $4.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 19 | Mar 2023 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 4 | Mar 2012 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Sep 2003 | — |
| Excessive heat | 2 | Jul 2024 | — |
| Storm surge | 1 | Feb 1998 | Feb 7, 1998 · $300,000 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 Curry County Coast forecast zone and Curry County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Pistol River?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMAX (Medford, OR), about 87 miles east. 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 Pistol River | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMAX Medford, OR | 87 mi east | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KBHX Eureka, CA | 124 mi south | 13,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBBX Beale AFB, CA | 241 mi southeast | 40,200 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 Pistol River
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 2 tornadoes within 25 miles of Pistol River. The strongest was an F0 on November 9, 2002, which touched down about 18 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 1 report of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.00-inch hail on December 10, 2015.
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 Pistol River'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.
Pistol River radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Pistol River, OR?
KMAX (Medford, OR), about 87 miles east. KBHX (Eureka, CA) is 124 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Pistol River?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Pistol River the lowest scan from KMAX is about 7,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Pistol River 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 Pistol River, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Gold Beach, OR radar 9 mi
- Brookings, OR radar 16 mi
- Port Orford, OR radar 32 mi
- Cave Junction, OR radar 39 mi
- Myrtle Point, OR radar 55 mi
- Grants Pass, OR radar 55 mi
- Bandon, OR radar 57 mi