Kennewick, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kennewick, Benton County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kennewick?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 91 days in the Lower Columbia Basin of Washington forecast zone and Benton County — the most common reported hazard around Kennewick, mostly in February and November. Next come wildfires (28 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (24 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 91 | Mar 2026 | Dec 17, 2012 · $560,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 28 | Sep 2020 | Jun 25, 2005 · $46,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 24 | Dec 2022 | Feb 4, 2019 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 21 | May 2020 | Jul 7, 2002 · $20,000 damage |
| Dust storms | 16 | Aug 2025 | Oct 10, 2015 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Jul 2024 | Jul 12, 2024 · 3 deaths |
| Flooding | 9 | Feb 2017 | Jan 8, 2009 · $453,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Dec 2022 | — |
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 Lower Columbia Basin of Washington forecast zone and Benton County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Kennewick get?
A normal year brings about 2.0 inches of snow to Kennewick, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ice Harbor Dam weather station 14.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (1.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 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 Kennewick?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 38 miles south-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 Kennewick | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 38 mi south-southeast | 2,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 126 mi northeast | 13,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRTX Portland, OR | 185 mi west | 25,700 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 Kennewick
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 5 tornadoes within 25 miles of Kennewick, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F2 on June 26, 1958, which touched down about 15 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on March 31, 2020, which touched down about 10 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 5 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.00-inch hail on May 28, 2019.
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 Kennewick'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.
Kennewick radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kennewick, WA?
KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 38 miles south-southeast. KOTX (Spokane, WA) is 126 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Kennewick?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kennewick the lowest scan from KPDT is about 2,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Kennewick 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 Kennewick, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Pasco, WA radar 5 mi
- Richland, WA radar 8 mi
- West Richland, WA radar 13 mi
- Benton City, WA radar 15 mi
- Prosser, WA radar 28 mi
- Grandview, WA radar 35 mi
- Connell, WA radar 36 mi
- College Place, WA radar 39 mi
- Mabton, WA radar 39 mi
- Sunnyside, WA radar 40 mi