Fairchild AFB, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fairchild AFB, Spokane County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fairchild AFB?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 102 days in the Spokane Area forecast zone and Spokane County — the most common reported hazard around Fairchild AFB, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (45 days) and high winds (33 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 102 | Jan 2026 | Dec 1, 2023 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 45 | Oct 2025 | May 4, 2016 · $4.8 million damage |
| High winds | 33 | Mar 2026 | Nov 17, 2015 · 4 deaths |
| Wildfires | 26 | Jun 2026 | Aug 18, 2023 · 1 death · $60 million damage |
| Flooding | 22 | Feb 2025 | Mar 9, 2017 · $8.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 11 | Jun 2022 | Feb 25, 1999 · $500,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | May 2023 | Jul 23, 2019 · $200,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Dec 2024 | Dec 10, 2024 · 1 death · $5,000 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 Spokane Area forecast zone and Spokane County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Fairchild AFB get?
A normal year brings about 48 inches of snow to Fairchild AFB, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Spokane Wfo weather station 4.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (15.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 6.1 | 15.5 | 13.0 | 6.8 | 4.6 | 1.3 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Fairchild AFB?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 4 miles north-northeast. 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 Fairchild AFB | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 4 mi north-northeast | 200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 145 mi south-southwest | 17,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 176 mi east-southeast | 23,600 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 Fairchild AFB
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 18 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fairchild AFB, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F2 on May 6, 1957, which touched down about 23 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on April 18, 2024, which touched down about 5 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 16 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on July 10, 2023.
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 Fairchild AFB'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.
Fairchild AFB radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fairchild AFB, WA?
KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 4 miles north-northeast. KPDT (Pendleton, OR) is 145 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fairchild AFB?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fairchild AFB the lowest scan from KOTX is about 200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Fairchild AFB 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 Fairchild AFB, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Airway Heights, WA radar 4 mi
- Medical Lake, WA radar 4 mi
- Cheney, WA radar 9 mi
- Spokane, WA radar 11 mi
- Millwood, WA radar 18 mi
- Spokane Valley, WA radar 20 mi
- Davenport, WA radar 24 mi
- Liberty Lake, WA radar 26 mi
- Deer Park, WA radar 26 mi
- Chewelah, WA radar 46 mi