Elk Plain, WA Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for Elk PlainWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Elk Plain?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged lightning damage or injuries on 5 days in the Foothills and Valleys of Pierce and Southern King Counties forecast zone and Pierce County — the most common reported hazard around Elk Plain, mostly in September and February. Next come flooding (3 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (1 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Lightning casualties & damage5Sep 2013Sep 5, 2013 · $5,000 damage
Flooding3Dec 2015Jan 7, 2009 · $8.8 million damage
Damaging thunderstorm winds1May 2013May 13, 2013 · $30,000 damage
Debris flows1Mar 2017—

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 Foothills and Valleys of Pierce and Southern King Counties forecast zone and Pierce County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Elk Plain get?

A normal year brings about 5.6 inches of snow to Elk Plain, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mcmillin Rsvr weather station 8.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.5 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.01.51.51.50.50.60.00.0

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

Which radars cover Elk Plain?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA), about 80 miles north. 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 Elk PlainView
KATX
Seattle/Tacoma, WA		80 mi north6,900 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KLGX
Langley Hill, WA		82 mi west7,200 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KRTX
Portland, OR		96 mi south-southwest9,000 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation

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 Elk Plain

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 12 tornadoes within 25 miles of Elk Plain. Most came in June and September. The strongest was an EF1 on September 6, 2009, which passed about 15 miles northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on January 18, 2015, which passed about 23 miles north-northwest of town.

Hail: 1 report of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.50-inch hail on September 1, 1997.

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 Elk Plain'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.

Elk Plain radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Elk Plain, WA?

KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA), about 80 miles north. KLGX (Langley Hill, WA) is 82 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Elk Plain?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Elk Plain the lowest scan from KATX is about 6,900 ft up — fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation.

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

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