Barstow, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Barstow, Ferry County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Barstow?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 128 days in the Okanogan Highlands forecast zone and Ferry County — the most common reported hazard around Barstow, mostly in December and January. Next come wildfires (36 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (18 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 128 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Wildfires | 36 | Oct 2025 | Sep 2, 2025 · $25 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 18 | Sep 2023 | Jul 20, 2012 · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 17 | May 2023 | May 5, 2018 · $3.0 million damage |
| Debris flows | 10 | Nov 2023 | Mar 6, 2016 · $3,000 damage |
| High winds | 8 | Mar 2026 | Aug 16, 2002 · $220,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Aug 2019 | May 26, 1998 · $3.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 2 | Dec 2013 | — |
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 Okanogan Highlands forecast zone and Ferry County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Barstow?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 79 miles south-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 Barstow | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 79 mi south-southeast | 6,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KATX Seattle/Tacoma, WA | 204 mi west | 30,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 216 mi south | 33,300 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 Barstow
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 6 tornadoes within 25 miles of Barstow, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and April. The strongest was an F2 on April 5, 1972, which touched down about 12 miles south of town. The most recent was an EF0 on April 25, 2008, which touched down about 19 miles south of town.
Hail: 16 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 23, 2014.
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 Barstow'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.
Barstow radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Barstow, WA?
KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 79 miles south-southeast. KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA) is 204 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Barstow?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Barstow the lowest scan from KOTX is about 6,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Barstow 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 Barstow, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Kettle Falls, WA radar 12 mi
- Colville, WA radar 19 mi
- Republic, WA radar 29 mi
- Chewelah, WA radar 39 mi
- Tonasket, WA radar 60 mi
- Oroville, WA radar 60 mi