Chelan, WA Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Chelan, Chelan County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for ChelanWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Chelan?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 83 days in the Wenatchee Area forecast zone and Chelan County — the most common reported hazard around Chelan, mostly in December and January. Next come debris flows (30 days) and wildfires (25 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Heavy snow & winter storms83Jan 2025—
Debris flows30May 2023Aug 11, 2013 · $700,000 damage
Wildfires25Jul 2025Aug 2, 1998 · $90 million damage
Flooding25Mar 2026Jan 7, 2009 · $1.1 million damage
High winds23Mar 2026Jan 7, 2007 · $10 million damage
Flash flooding23Aug 2024Sep 5, 2013 · $700,000 damage
Damaging thunderstorm winds12Aug 2024Aug 26, 1997 · $70,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage5Jul 2006Apr 16, 1996 · 1 death

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 Wenatchee Area forecast zone and Chelan County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Chelan get?

A normal year brings about 21 inches of snow to Chelan, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Chelan weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (8.7 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.01.48.77.72.00.70.00.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Chelan?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 111 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over ChelanView
KOTX
Spokane, WA		111 mi east11,400 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KATX
Seattle/Tacoma, WA		117 mi west-northwest12,300 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KPDT
Pendleton, OR		159 mi south-southeast19,900 ftLimited — 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 Chelan

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 2 tornadoes within 25 miles of Chelan. The strongest was an F1 on May 30, 1987, which touched down about 24 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an F0 on July 4, 1992, which touched down about 15 miles south of town.

Hail: 12 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.50-inch hail on June 29, 1992.

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 Chelan'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.

Chelan radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Chelan, WA?

KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 111 miles east. KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA) is 117 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Chelan?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Chelan the lowest scan from KOTX is about 11,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.

Is TALON's radar for Chelan 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 Chelan, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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