Starbuck, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Starbuck, Columbia County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Starbuck?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 43 days in the Foothills of the Blue Mountains of Washington forecast zone and Columbia County — the most common reported hazard around Starbuck, mostly in December and November. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (33 days) and excessive heat (11 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 43 | Nov 2024 | Jan 4, 2008 · $4.9 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 33 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Excessive heat | 11 | Aug 2022 | Jul 25, 2010 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 7 | May 2020 | Jul 8, 2012 · $50,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Nov 2010 | — |
| Flooding | 4 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Dust storms | 4 | Aug 2005 | — |
| Wildfires | 2 | Aug 2015 | — |
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 of the Blue Mountains of Washington forecast zone and Columbia County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Starbuck?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 67 miles south-southwest. 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 Starbuck | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 67 mi south-southwest | 5,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 84 mi north-northeast | 7,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 199 mi east-northeast | 29,000 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 Starbuck
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 3 tornadoes within 25 miles of Starbuck, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in March and August. The strongest was an F2 on March 14, 1966, which touched down about 16 miles east of town. The most recent was an F1 on January 16, 2000, which touched down about 15 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 11 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.50-inch hail on June 15, 2021.
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 Starbuck'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.
Starbuck radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Starbuck, WA?
KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 67 miles south-southwest. KOTX (Spokane, WA) is 84 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Starbuck?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Starbuck the lowest scan from KPDT is about 5,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Starbuck 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 Starbuck, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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