Rock Island, WA Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Rock Island, Douglas County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for Rock IslandWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Rock Island?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 83 days in the Wenatchee Area forecast zone and Douglas County — the most common reported hazard around Rock Island, mostly in December and January. Next come high winds (23 days) and wildfires (22 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Heavy snow & winter storms83Jan 2025—
High winds23Mar 2026Jan 7, 2007 · $10 million damage
Wildfires22Jul 2025Aug 1, 2013 · $3.5 million damage
Damaging thunderstorm winds7Jun 2022Aug 10, 2013 · $180,000 damage
Flash flooding7Jul 2023Jul 10, 2023 · $1.0 million damage
Debris flows5Aug 2021Jul 19, 2016 · $7,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet2Jan 2017—
Flooding2Mar 2016Mar 9, 2016 · $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 Wenatchee Area forecast zone and Douglas County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Rock Island get?

A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Rock Island, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wenatchee weather station 8.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (6.0 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.01.56.05.63.00.40.00.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Rock Island?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 119 miles east. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over Rock IslandView
KOTX
Spokane, WA		119 mi east12,600 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KATX
Seattle/Tacoma, WA		123 mi west-northwest13,300 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KPDT
Pendleton, OR		131 mi south-southeast14,700 ftLimited — 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 Rock Island

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 3 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rock Island. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an EF0 on May 1, 2024, which touched down about 21 miles south-southeast of town.

Hail: 6 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.25-inch hail on July 5, 2006.

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 Rock Island'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.

Rock Island radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Rock Island, WA?

KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 119 miles east. KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA) is 123 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Rock Island?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rock Island the lowest scan from KOTX is about 12,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.

Is TALON's radar for Rock Island 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 Rock Island, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

Radar for nearby towns

All Washington towns →