Puyallup, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Puyallup, Pierce County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Puyallup?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged lightning damage or injuries on 5 days in the Lowlands of Pierce and Southern King Counties forecast zone and Pierce County — the most common reported hazard around Puyallup, 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 Lowlands of Pierce and Southern King Counties forecast zone and Pierce County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Puyallup get?
A normal year brings about 5.6 inches of snow to Puyallup, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mcmillin Rsvr weather station 3.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 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 Puyallup?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA), about 71 miles north. 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 Puyallup | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATX Seattle/Tacoma, WA | 71 mi north | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLGX Langley Hill, WA | 85 mi west | 7,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRTX Portland, OR | 106 mi south-southwest | 10,500 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 Puyallup
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 15 tornadoes within 25 miles of Puyallup, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and June. The strongest was an F3 on December 12, 1969, which passed about 23 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on January 18, 2015, which passed about 17 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 2 reports 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 Puyallup'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.
Puyallup radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Puyallup, WA?
KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA), about 71 miles north. KLGX (Langley Hill, WA) is 85 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Puyallup?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Puyallup the lowest scan from KATX is about 5,800 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Puyallup 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 Puyallup, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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