Vantage, WA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Vantage, Kittitas County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Vantage?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 55 days in the Kittitas Valley forecast zone and Kittitas County — the most common reported hazard around Vantage, mostly in December and January. Next come flooding (13 days) and high winds (13 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 55 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Flooding | 13 | Mar 2017 | Jan 7, 2009 · $10 million damage |
| High winds | 13 | May 2025 | May 19, 2001 · $20,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 13 | Jul 2018 | Jul 1, 2004 · $1,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Aug 2022 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Aug 2014 | May 4, 2005 · $90,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 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 Kittitas Valley forecast zone and Kittitas County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Vantage?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 102 miles south-southeast. 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 Vantage | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPDT Pendleton, OR | 102 mi south-southeast | 9,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 122 mi east-northeast | 13,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KATX Seattle/Tacoma, WA | 145 mi northwest | 17,200 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 Vantage
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Vantage. The strongest was an EF0 on May 1, 2024, which touched down about 9 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 3 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on May 20, 1994.
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 Vantage'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.
Vantage radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Vantage, WA?
KPDT (Pendleton, OR), about 102 miles south-southeast. KOTX (Spokane, WA) is 122 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Vantage?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Vantage the lowest scan from KPDT is about 9,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Vantage 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 Vantage, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- George, WA radar 11 mi
- Mattawa, WA radar 15 mi
- Royal City, WA radar 18 mi
- Kittitas, WA radar 20 mi
- Quincy, WA radar 21 mi
- Ellensburg, WA radar 27 mi
- Rock Island, WA radar 30 mi
- Moxee, WA radar 33 mi
- Selah, WA radar 33 mi
- Ephrata, WA radar 33 mi