Vader, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Vader, Lewis County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Vader?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 8 days in the Lowlands of Lewis and Southern Thurston Counties forecast zone and Lewis County — the most common reported hazard around Vader, mostly in January and November. Next come lightning casualties & damage (3 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 8 | Nov 2021 | Nov 4, 2006 · 2 deaths · $8.8 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Sep 2013 | Aug 5, 2002 · $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 Lowlands of Lewis and Southern Thurston Counties forecast zone and Lewis County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Vader?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRTX (Portland, OR), about 48 miles south. 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 Vader | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRTX Portland, OR | 48 mi south | 3,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLGX Langley Hill, WA | 73 mi northwest | 6,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KATX Seattle/Tacoma, WA | 126 mi north | 13,700 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 Vader
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 8 tornadoes within 25 miles of Vader, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in October and November. The strongest was an F2 on November 10, 1965, which touched down about 21 miles north of town. The most recent was an EF0 on October 28, 2024, which touched down about 19 miles south of town.
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 Vader'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.
Vader radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Vader, WA?
KRTX (Portland, OR), about 48 miles south. KLGX (Langley Hill, WA) is 73 miles away and also covers the area.
How often does Vader flood?
Since 1996 the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 8 days in the Lowlands of Lewis and Southern Thurston Counties forecast zone and Lewis County; the deadliest was on November 4, 2006, with 2 deaths. TALON's free flash-flood risk layer shows, every 2 minutes, how close the rain that has fallen is to what it takes to flood — turn it on under Layers.
Is TALON's radar for Vader 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 Vader, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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