Ruston, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ruston, Pierce County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ruston?
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 Ruston, 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.
Which radars cover Ruston?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA), about 62 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 Ruston | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATX Seattle/Tacoma, WA | 62 mi north | 4,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLGX Langley Hill, WA | 76 mi west | 6,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRTX Portland, OR | 112 mi south-southwest | 11,400 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 Ruston
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 17 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ruston, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and June. The strongest was an F3 on December 12, 1969, which passed about 15 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on October 18, 2019, which touched down about 20 miles west of town.
Hail: 1 report of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.50-inch hail on June 8, 1972.
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 Ruston'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.
Ruston radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ruston, WA?
KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA), about 62 miles north. KLGX (Langley Hill, WA) is 76 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Ruston?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Ruston the lowest scan from KATX is about 4,800 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Ruston 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 Ruston, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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