South Cle Elum, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for South Cle Elum, Kittitas County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits South Cle Elum?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 9 days in the Lower Slopes of the Eastern Washington Cascades Crest forecast zone and Kittitas County — the most common reported hazard around South Cle Elum, mostly in March and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (7 days) and flash flooding (5 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 9 | Mar 2017 | Jan 7, 2009 · $10 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 7 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Aug 2014 | May 4, 2005 · $90,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 4 | Oct 2003 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | May 2011 | May 14, 2011 · $300,000 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 Lower Slopes of the Eastern Washington Cascades Crest forecast zone and Kittitas County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover South Cle Elum?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA), about 100 miles northwest. 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 South Cle Elum | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATX Seattle/Tacoma, WA | 100 mi northwest | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRTX Portland, OR | 140 mi southwest | 16,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 144 mi southeast | 17,000 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 South Cle Elum
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of South Cle Elum since 1950.
Hail: 3 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.50-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 South Cle Elum'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.
South Cle Elum radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to South Cle Elum, WA?
KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA), about 100 miles northwest. KRTX (Portland, OR) is 140 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in South Cle Elum?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over South Cle Elum the lowest scan from KATX is about 9,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for South Cle Elum 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 South Cle Elum, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Cle Elum, WA radar 1 mi
- Ellensburg, WA radar 23 mi
- Kittitas, WA radar 29 mi
- Leavenworth, WA radar 31 mi
- Cashmere, WA radar 32 mi
- Wenatchee, WA radar 34 mi
- Naches, WA radar 34 mi
- Tieton, WA radar 35 mi
- East Wenatchee, WA radar 35 mi
- Rock Island, WA radar 40 mi