South Hill, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for South Hill, Pierce County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits South Hill?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged lightning damage or injuries on 5 days in the Foothills and Valleys of Pierce and Southern King Counties forecast zone and Pierce County — the most common reported hazard around South Hill, 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 Foothills and Valleys of Pierce and Southern King Counties forecast zone and Pierce County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does South Hill get?
A normal year brings about 5.6 inches of snow to South Hill, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mcmillin Rsvr weather station 1.7 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 South Hill?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA), about 75 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 South Hill | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATX Seattle/Tacoma, WA | 75 mi north | 6,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLGX Langley Hill, WA | 86 mi west | 7,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRTX Portland, OR | 102 mi south-southwest | 10,000 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 Hill
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 12 tornadoes within 25 miles of South Hill. Most came in June and September. The strongest was an EF1 on September 6, 2009, which passed about 8 miles northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on January 18, 2015, which passed about 20 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 1 report 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 South Hill'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 Hill radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to South Hill, WA?
KATX (Seattle/Tacoma, WA), about 75 miles north. KLGX (Langley Hill, WA) is 86 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near South Hill?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over South Hill the lowest scan from KATX is about 6,300 ft up — fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation.
Is TALON's radar for South Hill 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 Hill, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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