Creston, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Creston, Lincoln County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Creston?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 46 days in the Upper Columbia Basin forecast zone and Lincoln County — the most common reported hazard around Creston, mostly in January and December. Next come dust storms (22 days) and wildfires (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 46 | Apr 2023 | Feb 4, 2020 · 1 death |
| Dust storms | 22 | Apr 2025 | Sep 7, 2020 · $150,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 19 | Jun 2026 | Jun 21, 2026 · $4.9 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 19 | Jul 2023 | May 30, 2020 · $90,000 damage |
| High winds | 15 | Apr 2022 | Apr 4, 2022 · $5.3 million damage |
| Flooding | 8 | Feb 2025 | Mar 12, 2017 · $800,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 7 | Aug 2014 | Feb 24, 1999 · $20,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Dec 2020 | Jan 13, 2009 · $2.0 million 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 Upper Columbia Basin forecast zone and Lincoln County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Creston?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 42 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 Creston | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 42 mi east | 2,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 144 mi south | 17,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KATX Seattle/Tacoma, WA | 186 mi west | 26,000 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 Creston
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 12 tornadoes within 25 miles of Creston, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F3 on April 5, 1972, which touched down near town. The most recent was an EF0 on March 26, 2024, which touched down about 15 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 7 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.25-inch hail on June 23, 2010.
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 Creston'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.
Creston radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Creston, WA?
KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 42 miles east. KPDT (Pendleton, OR) is 144 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Creston?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Creston the lowest scan from KOTX is about 2,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Creston 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 Creston, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Davenport, WA radar 19 mi
- Coulee Dam, WA radar 26 mi
- Medical Lake, WA radar 41 mi
- Airway Heights, WA radar 44 mi
- Ritzville, WA radar 44 mi
- Cheney, WA radar 47 mi
- Spokane, WA radar 51 mi
- Soap Lake, WA radar 52 mi
- Chewelah, WA radar 52 mi
- Deer Park, WA radar 52 mi