Benton City, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Benton City, Benton County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Benton City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 91 days in the Lower Columbia Basin of Washington forecast zone and Benton County — the most common reported hazard around Benton City, mostly in February and November. Next come wildfires (28 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (24 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 91 | Mar 2026 | Dec 17, 2012 · $560,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 28 | Sep 2020 | Jun 25, 2005 · $46,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 24 | Dec 2022 | Feb 4, 2019 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 21 | May 2020 | Jul 7, 2002 · $20,000 damage |
| Dust storms | 16 | Aug 2025 | Oct 10, 2015 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Jul 2024 | Jul 12, 2024 · 3 deaths |
| Flooding | 9 | Feb 2017 | Jan 8, 2009 · $453,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Dec 2022 | — |
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 Lower Columbia Basin of Washington forecast zone and Benton County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Benton City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 50 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 Benton City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 50 mi southeast | 3,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 131 mi northeast | 14,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRTX Portland, OR | 172 mi west-southwest | 22,600 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 Benton City
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 5 tornadoes within 25 miles of Benton City. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F0 on May 9, 1956, which passed about 17 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on March 31, 2020, which touched down about 11 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 6 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.00-inch hail on May 28, 2019.
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 Benton City'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.
Benton City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Benton City, WA?
KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 50 miles southeast. KOTX (Spokane, WA) is 131 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Benton City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Benton City the lowest scan from KPDT is about 3,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Benton City 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 Benton City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- West Richland, WA radar 6 mi
- Richland, WA radar 9 mi
- Prosser, WA radar 14 mi
- Kennewick, WA radar 15 mi
- Pasco, WA radar 17 mi
- Grandview, WA radar 21 mi
- Mabton, WA radar 25 mi
- Sunnyside, WA radar 25 mi
- Granger, WA radar 35 mi
- Mattawa, WA radar 38 mi