Ellensburg, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ellensburg, Kittitas County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ellensburg?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 55 days in the Kittitas Valley forecast zone and Kittitas County — the most common reported hazard around Ellensburg, mostly in December and January. Next come flooding (13 days) and high winds (13 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 55 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Flooding | 13 | Mar 2017 | Jan 7, 2009 · $10 million damage |
| High winds | 13 | May 2025 | May 19, 2001 · $20,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 13 | Jul 2018 | Jul 1, 2004 · $1,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Aug 2022 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Aug 2014 | May 4, 2005 · $90,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 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 Kittitas Valley forecast zone and Kittitas County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Ellensburg?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 121 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 Ellensburg | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 121 mi southeast | 13,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KATX Seattle/Tacoma, WA | 123 mi northwest | 13,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 145 mi east-northeast | 17,100 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 Ellensburg
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 2 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ellensburg. The strongest was an EF0 on May 1, 2024, which touched down about 24 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 1 report of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.00-inch hail on June 29, 2013.
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 Ellensburg'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.
Ellensburg radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ellensburg, WA?
KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 121 miles southeast. KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA) is 123 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ellensburg?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ellensburg the lowest scan from KPDT is about 13,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Ellensburg 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 Ellensburg, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Kittitas, WA radar 6 mi
- Naches, WA radar 20 mi
- Tieton, WA radar 23 mi
- Cle Elum, WA radar 23 mi
- Selah, WA radar 24 mi
- Yakima, WA radar 28 mi
- Union Gap, WA radar 31 mi
- Moxee, WA radar 31 mi
- East Wenatchee, WA radar 31 mi
- Wenatchee, WA radar 32 mi