Marietta-Alderwood, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Marietta-Alderwood, Whatcom County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Marietta-Alderwood?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 5 days in the Lowlands of Western Whatcom County forecast zone and Whatcom County — the most common reported hazard around Marietta-Alderwood, mostly in November and January. Next come storm surge (2 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (2 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 5 | Nov 2021 | Nov 14, 2021 · 1 death · $34 million damage |
| Storm surge | 2 | Dec 2001 | Dec 15, 2000 · $650,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 2 | Jun 2012 | Jun 23, 2012 · $1,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Nov 1996 | Nov 9, 1996 · $3,000 damage |
| Debris flows | 1 | Jan 2013 | Jan 8, 2013 · $5,000 damage |
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 Western Whatcom County forecast zone and Whatcom County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Marietta-Alderwood get?
A normal year brings about 3.4 inches of snow to Marietta-Alderwood, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bellingham 3 Ssw weather station 5.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 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 Marietta-Alderwood?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA), about 41 miles south. 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 Marietta-Alderwood | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATX Seattle/Tacoma, WA | 41 mi south | 2,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLGX Langley Hill, WA | 136 mi south-southwest | 15,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRTX Portland, OR | 213 mi south | 32,600 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 Marietta-Alderwood
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Marietta-Alderwood. The strongest was an F0 on April 27, 2004, which touched down about 21 miles northeast of town.
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 Marietta-Alderwood'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.
Marietta-Alderwood radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Marietta-Alderwood, WA?
KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA), about 41 miles south. KLGX (Langley Hill, WA) is 136 miles away and also covers the area.
How often does Marietta-Alderwood flood?
Since 1996 the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 5 days in the Lowlands of Western Whatcom County forecast zone and Whatcom County; the deadliest was on November 14, 2021, with 1 death. TALON's free flash-flood risk layer shows, every 2 minutes, how close the rain that has fallen is to what it takes to flood — turn it on under Layers.
Is TALON's radar for Marietta-Alderwood 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 Marietta-Alderwood, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Bellingham, WA radar 5 mi
- Ferndale, WA radar 5 mi
- Lynden, WA radar 12 mi
- Everson, WA radar 13 mi
- Nooksack, WA radar 14 mi
- Blaine, WA radar 16 mi
- Sumas, WA radar 19 mi
- Anacortes, WA radar 21 mi
- Sedro-Woolley, WA radar 24 mi
- Burlington, WA radar 25 mi