Ferndale, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ferndale, Whatcom County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ferndale?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 5 days in the Lowlands of Western Whatcom County forecast zone and Whatcom County — the most common reported hazard around Ferndale, mostly in November and January. Next come storm surge (2 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (2 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 5 | Nov 2021 | Nov 14, 2021 · 1 death · $34 million damage |
| Storm surge | 2 | Dec 2001 | Dec 15, 2000 · $650,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 2 | Jun 2012 | Jun 23, 2012 · $1,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Nov 1996 | Nov 9, 1996 · $3,000 damage |
| Debris flows | 1 | Jan 2013 | Jan 8, 2013 · $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 Lowlands of Western Whatcom County forecast zone and Whatcom County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ferndale get?
A normal year brings about 3.4 inches of snow to Ferndale, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bellingham 3 Ssw weather station 10 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Ferndale?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA), about 46 miles south. 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 Ferndale | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATX Seattle/Tacoma, WA | 46 mi south | 3,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLGX Langley Hill, WA | 139 mi south-southwest | 16,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRTX Portland, OR | 218 mi south | 33,700 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 Ferndale
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Ferndale. The strongest was an F0 on April 27, 2004, which touched down about 20 miles east-northeast of town.
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 Ferndale'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.
Ferndale radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ferndale, WA?
KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA), about 46 miles south. KLGX (Langley Hill, WA) is 139 miles away and also covers the area.
How often does Ferndale flood?
Since 1996 the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 5 days in the Lowlands of Western Whatcom County forecast zone and Whatcom County; the deadliest was on November 14, 2021, with 1 death. TALON's free flash-flood risk layer shows, every 2 minutes, how close the rain that has fallen is to what it takes to flood — turn it on under Layers.
Is TALON's radar for Ferndale 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 Ferndale, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Bellingham, WA radar 9 mi
- Lynden, WA radar 9 mi
- Everson, WA radar 11 mi
- Blaine, WA radar 12 mi
- Nooksack, WA radar 13 mi
- Sumas, WA radar 18 mi
- Anacortes, WA radar 25 mi
- Sedro-Woolley, WA radar 29 mi
- Burlington, WA radar 29 mi
- Friday Harbor, WA radar 29 mi