La Grande, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for La Grande, Pierce County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits La Grande?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged lightning damage or injuries on 5 days in the Foothills and Valleys of Pierce and Southern King Counties forecast zone and Pierce County — the most common reported hazard around La Grande, 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 Foothills and Valleys of Pierce and Southern King Counties forecast zone and Pierce County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover La Grande?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRTX (Portland, OR), about 82 miles south-southwest. 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 La Grande | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRTX Portland, OR | 82 mi south-southwest | 7,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLGX Langley Hill, WA | 89 mi west-northwest | 8,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KATX Seattle/Tacoma, WA | 96 mi north | 9,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 La Grande
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 6 tornadoes within 25 miles of La Grande. Most came in September and June. The strongest was an F1 on June 12, 1978, which touched down about 22 miles north of town. The most recent was an EF0 on April 27, 2014, which touched down about 4 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 1 report 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 La Grande'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.
La Grande radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to La Grande, WA?
KRTX (Portland, OR), about 82 miles south-southwest. KLGX (Langley Hill, WA) is 89 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near La Grande?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over La Grande the lowest scan from KRTX is about 7,200 ft up — fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation.
Is TALON's radar for La Grande 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 La Grande, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Eatonville, WA radar 4 mi
- Morton, WA radar 18 mi
- Yelm, WA radar 19 mi
- Rainier, WA radar 20 mi
- Orting, WA radar 20 mi
- Puyallup, WA radar 25 mi
- DuPont, WA radar 27 mi
- Lakewood, WA radar 27 mi
- Buckley, WA radar 27 mi
- Tenino, WA radar 27 mi