Onalaska, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Onalaska, Lewis County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Onalaska?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 8 days in the Foothills and Valleys of Thurston and Lewis Counties forecast zone and Lewis County — the most common reported hazard around Onalaska, mostly in January and November. Next come lightning casualties & damage (3 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 8 | Nov 2021 | Nov 4, 2006 · 2 deaths · $8.8 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Sep 2013 | Aug 5, 2002 · $2,000 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 Foothills and Valleys of Thurston and Lewis Counties forecast zone and Lewis County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Onalaska get?
A normal year brings about 3.4 inches of snow to Onalaska, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mayfield Pwr Plt weather station 7.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (1.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 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 Onalaska?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRTX (Portland, OR), about 61 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 Onalaska | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRTX Portland, OR | 61 mi south-southwest | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLGX Langley Hill, WA | 76 mi west-northwest | 6,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KATX Seattle/Tacoma, WA | 112 mi north | 11,500 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 Onalaska
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 7 tornadoes within 25 miles of Onalaska, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in October and May. The strongest was an F2 on November 10, 1965, which touched down about 12 miles northwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on October 4, 2019, which touched down about 20 miles north-northwest 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 Onalaska'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.
Onalaska radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Onalaska, WA?
KRTX (Portland, OR), about 61 miles south-southwest. KLGX (Langley Hill, WA) is 76 miles away and also covers the area.
How often does Onalaska flood?
Since 1996 the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 8 days in the Foothills and Valleys of Thurston and Lewis Counties forecast zone and Lewis County; the deadliest was on November 4, 2006, with 2 deaths. 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 Onalaska 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 Onalaska, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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