LaCrosse, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for LaCrosse, Whitman County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits LaCrosse?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 77 days in the Washington Palouse forecast zone and Whitman County — the most common reported hazard around LaCrosse, mostly in January and December. Next come high winds (33 days) and flooding (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 77 | Feb 2026 | — |
| High winds | 33 | Dec 2025 | May 3, 2010 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 22 | Mar 2026 | Feb 12, 2014 · $600,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 18 | Sep 2024 | Jul 10, 1998 · $540,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 17 | Jul 2025 | Jul 2, 2025 · $1.4 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 10 | Apr 2026 | Apr 9, 2019 · $1.1 million damage |
| Dust storms | 8 | Sep 2024 | Aug 12, 2014 · $15,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Nov 2010 | — |
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 Washington Palouse forecast zone and Whitman County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does LaCrosse get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to LaCrosse, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lacrosse weather station 2.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (8.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 1.8 | 8.1 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 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 LaCrosse?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 63 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 LaCrosse | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 63 mi north-northeast | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 88 mi south-southwest | 8,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 186 mi east | 26,000 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 LaCrosse
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 2 tornadoes within 25 miles of LaCrosse, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. The strongest was an F2 on March 14, 1966, which touched down about 21 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an F0 on August 9, 1982, which touched down about 19 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 5 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 9, 1995.
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 LaCrosse'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.
LaCrosse radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to LaCrosse, WA?
KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 63 miles north-northeast. KPDT (Pendleton, OR) is 88 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in LaCrosse?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over LaCrosse the lowest scan from KOTX is about 4,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for LaCrosse 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 LaCrosse, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Pomeroy, WA radar 27 mi
- Colfax, WA radar 30 mi
- Ritzville, WA radar 31 mi
- Dayton, WA radar 33 mi
- Pullman, WA radar 36 mi
- Waitsburg, WA radar 38 mi
- Palouse, WA radar 41 mi
- Connell, WA radar 45 mi
- Clarkston, WA radar 49 mi
- Cheney, WA radar 51 mi