Amado, AZ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Amado, Santa Cruz County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Amado?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 81 days in the Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys including Nogales forecast zone and Santa Cruz County — the most common reported hazard around Amado, mostly in August and July. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (67 days) and excessive heat (51 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 81 | Jul 2025 | Jul 12, 2008 · 2 deaths · $600,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 67 | Jul 2025 | Jun 29, 1996 · $330,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 51 | Sep 2025 | Jul 15, 2023 · 6 deaths |
| Wildfires | 16 | Jun 2025 | Apr 29, 2002 · $90,000 damage |
| High winds | 7 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 5 | Mar 2023 | Jan 2, 2019 · $10,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Jun 2025 | Jul 30, 2014 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Mar 2025 | Jan 23, 2023 · 2 deaths |
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 Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys including Nogales forecast zone and Santa Cruz County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Amado?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEMX (Tucson, AZ), about 29 miles east-northeast. 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 Amado | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEMX Tucson, AZ | 29 mi east-northeast | 1,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KIWA Phoenix, AZ | 116 mi north-northwest | 12,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSX Flagstaff, AZ | 199 mi north | 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 Amado
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 7 tornadoes within 25 miles of Amado. Most came in August and March. The strongest was an F1 on August 16, 1969, which touched down about 17 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 16, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 34 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on September 28, 1995.
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 Amado'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.
Amado radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Amado, AZ?
KEMX (Tucson, AZ), about 29 miles east-northeast. KIWA (Phoenix, AZ) is 116 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Amado?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Amado the lowest scan from KEMX is about 1,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Amado 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 Amado, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Sahuarita, AZ radar 17 mi
- Nogales, AZ radar 24 mi
- Tucson, AZ radar 33 mi
- South Tucson, AZ radar 35 mi
- Huachuca City, AZ radar 43 mi
- Sierra Vista, AZ radar 45 mi
- Benson, AZ radar 46 mi
- Oro Valley, AZ radar 50 mi
- Marana, AZ radar 53 mi
- Tombstone, AZ radar 58 mi