Cottage Lake, WA Live Doppler Radar

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

What weather hits Cottage Lake?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged lightning damage or injuries on 22 days in the Shoreline / Lynnwood / South Everett Area forecast zone and King County — the most common reported hazard around Cottage Lake, mostly in July and August. Next come flooding (7 days) and debris flows (4 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Lightning casualties & damage22Apr 2015Aug 3, 1999 · $650,000 damage
Flooding7Jan 2021Jan 7, 2009 · $14 million damage
Debris flows4Mar 2017Mar 2, 2014 · $200,000 damage
Damaging thunderstorm winds3May 2013May 13, 2013 · $25,000 damage
Flash flooding1Dec 2006Dec 14, 2006 · 1 death · $750,000 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 Shoreline / Lynnwood / South Everett Area forecast zone and King County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Cottage Lake get?

A normal year brings about 3.0 inches of snow to Cottage Lake, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Monroe weather station 7.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (2.2 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.00.30.20.12.20.20.00.0

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

Which radars cover Cottage Lake?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA), about 37 miles north-northwest. 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 Cottage LakeView
KATX
Seattle/Tacoma, WA
37 mi north-northwest2,400 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KLGX
Langley Hill, WA
104 mi west-southwest10,300 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KRTX
Portland, OR
147 mi south-southwest17,500 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 Cottage Lake

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 7 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cottage Lake, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and June. The strongest was an F3 on December 12, 1969, which passed about 19 miles southwest of town. The most recent was an F0 on June 16, 2006, which touched down about 18 miles east-northeast of town.

Hail: 3 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.50-inch hail on June 8, 1972.

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 Cottage Lake'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.

Cottage Lake radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Cottage Lake, WA?

KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA), about 37 miles north-northwest. KLGX (Langley Hill, WA) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Cottage Lake?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Cottage Lake the lowest scan from KATX is about 2,400 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

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

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