Fox Island, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fox Island, Pierce County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fox Island?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged lightning damage or injuries on 5 days in the Lowlands of Pierce and Southern King Counties forecast zone and Pierce County — the most common reported hazard around Fox Island, mostly in September and February. Next come flooding (3 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (1 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning casualties & damage | 5 | Sep 2013 | Sep 5, 2013 · $5,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | Dec 2015 | Jan 7, 2009 · $8.8 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 1 | May 2013 | May 13, 2013 · $30,000 damage |
| Debris flows | 1 | Mar 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 Lowlands of Pierce and Southern King Counties forecast zone and Pierce County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Fox Island?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA), about 65 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Fox Island | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATX Seattle/Tacoma, WA | 65 mi north | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLGX Langley Hill, WA | 69 mi west | 5,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRTX Portland, OR | 108 mi south | 10,800 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 Fox Island
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 16 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fox Island, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and June. The strongest was an F3 on December 12, 1969, which passed about 20 miles northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on October 18, 2019, which touched down about 13 miles west of town.
Hail: 2 reports 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 Fox Island'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.
Fox Island radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fox Island, WA?
KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA), about 65 miles north. KLGX (Langley Hill, WA) is 69 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Fox Island?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Fox Island the lowest scan from KATX is about 5,100 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Fox Island 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 Fox Island, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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