Basin, WY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Basin, Big Horn County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Basin?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 55 days in the North Bighorn Basin forecast zone and Big Horn County — the most common reported hazard around Basin, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (44 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (36 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 55 | Aug 2025 | May 27, 2018 · $75,000 damage |
| High winds | 44 | Apr 2026 | Nov 24, 1999 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 36 | Feb 2025 | Oct 10, 2008 · 2 deaths |
| Flooding | 16 | Jun 2021 | Jun 24, 2011 · $540,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Flash flooding | 10 | Jul 2024 | Jun 13, 1997 · $91,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 6 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 2 | Dec 2008 | — |
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 North Bighorn Basin forecast zone and Big Horn County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Basin get?
A normal year brings about 20 inches of snow to Basin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Basin weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (4.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 3.4 | 4.1 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Basin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRIW (Riverton, WY), about 93 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 Basin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRIW Riverton, WY | 93 mi south-southwest | 8,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KBLX Billings, MT | 105 mi north-northwest | 10,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KSFX Pocatello, ID | 248 mi west-southwest | 42,100 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 Basin
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 21 tornadoes within 25 miles of Basin, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F2 on July 4, 1978, which passed about 9 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 12, 2017, which passed about 23 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 27 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on August 7, 2009.
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 Basin'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.
Basin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Basin, WY?
KRIW (Riverton, WY), about 93 miles south-southwest. KBLX (Billings, MT) is 105 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Basin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Basin the lowest scan from KRIW is about 8,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Basin 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 Basin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Greybull, WY radar 7 mi
- Worland, WY radar 25 mi
- Lovell, WY radar 36 mi
- Powell, WY radar 44 mi
- Cody, WY radar 51 mi
- Thermopolis, WY radar 51 mi
- Ranchester, WY radar 57 mi
- Sheridan, WY radar 61 mi