Orient, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Orient, Ferry County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Orient?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 128 days in the Okanogan Highlands forecast zone and Ferry County — the most common reported hazard around Orient, mostly in December and January. Next come wildfires (36 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (18 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 128 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Wildfires | 36 | Oct 2025 | Sep 2, 2025 · $25 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 18 | Sep 2023 | Jul 20, 2012 · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 17 | May 2023 | May 5, 2018 · $3.0 million damage |
| Debris flows | 10 | Nov 2023 | Mar 6, 2016 · $3,000 damage |
| High winds | 8 | Mar 2026 | Aug 16, 2002 · $220,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Aug 2019 | May 26, 1998 · $3.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 2 | Dec 2013 | — |
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 Okanogan Highlands forecast zone and Ferry County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Orient?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 86 miles south-southeast. 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 Orient | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 86 mi south-southeast | 7,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KATX Seattle/Tacoma, WA | 202 mi west-southwest | 29,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 221 mi south | 34,700 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 Orient
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 4 tornadoes within 25 miles of Orient, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and July. The strongest was an F2 on April 5, 1972, which touched down about 19 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on April 25, 2008, which touched down about 25 miles south of town.
Hail: 13 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on July 23, 2014.
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 Orient'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.
Orient radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Orient, WA?
KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 86 miles south-southeast. KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA) is 202 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Orient?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Orient the lowest scan from KOTX is about 7,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Orient 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 Orient, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Kettle Falls, WA radar 19 mi
- Colville, WA radar 26 mi
- Republic, WA radar 28 mi
- Chewelah, WA radar 46 mi
- Oroville, WA radar 56 mi
- Tonasket, WA radar 57 mi