Desert Aire, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Desert Aire, Grant County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Desert Aire?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged wildfire on 28 days in the Moses Lake Area forecast zone and Grant County — the most common reported hazard around Desert Aire, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (25 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildfires | 28 | Jul 2023 | Jul 10, 2023 · $710,000 damage |
| High winds | 25 | Dec 2025 | Dec 14, 2006 · $2.3 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 20 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 16 | Jun 2022 | May 31, 1997 · $200,000 damage |
| Dust storms | 15 | Mar 2026 | Oct 13, 2020 · 1 death · $20,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 8 | May 2023 | May 17, 2018 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Nov 2023 | Nov 19, 1996 · 1 death · $7.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | May 2006 | Jul 7, 2002 · $150,000 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 Moses Lake Area forecast zone and Grant County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Desert Aire?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 86 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 Desert Aire | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 86 mi southeast | 7,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 128 mi east-northeast | 14,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KATX Seattle/Tacoma, WA | 159 mi northwest | 19,900 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 Desert Aire
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Desert Aire. The strongest was an F0 on May 15, 2000, which touched down about 23 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 4 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on July 20, 2012.
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 Desert Aire'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.
Desert Aire radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Desert Aire, WA?
KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 86 miles southeast. KOTX (Spokane, WA) is 128 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Desert Aire?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Desert Aire the lowest scan from KPDT is about 7,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Desert Aire 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 Desert Aire, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Mattawa, WA radar 3 mi
- Royal City, WA radar 20 mi
- Moxee, WA radar 24 mi
- Zillah, WA radar 26 mi
- Sunnyside, WA radar 26 mi
- George, WA radar 27 mi
- Granger, WA radar 27 mi
- Toppenish, WA radar 28 mi
- Union Gap, WA radar 28 mi
- Selah, WA radar 29 mi