Key Center, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Key Center, Pierce County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Key Center?
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 Key Center, 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 Key Center?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA), about 61 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 Key Center | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATX Seattle/Tacoma, WA | 61 mi north-northeast | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLGX Langley Hill, WA | 65 mi west-southwest | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KRTX Portland, OR | 112 mi south | 11,400 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 Key Center
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 13 tornadoes within 25 miles of Key Center, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in December 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 9 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 1 report of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.00-inch hail on October 22, 1985.
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 Key Center'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.
Key Center radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Key Center, WA?
KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA), about 61 miles north-northeast. KLGX (Langley Hill, WA) is 65 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Key Center?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Key Center the lowest scan from KATX is about 4,700 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Key Center 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 Key Center, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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