Owl Creek, WY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Owl Creek, Hot Springs County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Owl Creek?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 46 days in the Southwest Bighorn Basin forecast zone and Hot Springs County — the most common reported hazard around Owl Creek, mostly in March and November. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (29 days) and high winds (17 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 46 | Apr 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 29 | Jun 2026 | Jun 4, 2023 · $25,000 damage |
| High winds | 17 | Apr 2026 | Feb 9, 1996 · $50,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Jan 2024 | Feb 1, 1996 · $25,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Jul 2019 | May 24, 2015 · $1.5 million damage |
| Wildfires | 3 | Aug 2000 | Aug 7, 2000 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 2 | Mar 1996 | Jan 29, 1996 · $2,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 1 | Jan 1996 | — |
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 Southwest Bighorn Basin forecast zone and Hot Springs County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Owl Creek?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRIW (Riverton, WY), about 50 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 Owl Creek | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRIW Riverton, WY | 50 mi south | 3,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KBLX Billings, MT | 143 mi north | 16,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KSFX Pocatello, ID | 212 mi west-southwest | 32,200 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 Owl Creek
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 6 tornadoes within 25 miles of Owl Creek, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F2 on July 10, 2001, which touched down about 18 miles east of town. The most recent was an EF0 on September 9, 2024, which touched down about 20 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 35 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on July 1, 1982.
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 Owl Creek'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.
Owl Creek radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Owl Creek, WY?
KRIW (Riverton, WY), about 50 miles south. KBLX (Billings, MT) is 143 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Owl Creek?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Owl Creek the lowest scan from KRIW is about 3,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Owl Creek 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 Owl Creek, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Thermopolis, WY radar 20 mi
- Worland, WY radar 34 mi
- Basin, WY radar 49 mi
- Riverton, WY radar 53 mi
- Greybull, WY radar 55 mi
- Cody, WY radar 57 mi