Apache Junction, AZ Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Apache Junction, Pinal County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

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What weather hits Apache Junction?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 197 days in the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon forecast zone and Pinal County — the most common reported hazard around Apache Junction, mostly in July and August. Next come flash flooding (102 days) and excessive heat (39 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds197Sep 2025Aug 13, 2007 · $5.0 million damage
Flash flooding102Oct 2025Sep 9, 2006 · 2 deaths
Excessive heat39Jun 2024Jul 23, 2018 · 1 death
Flooding22Oct 2025Jul 25, 2021 · $7.5 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage9Sep 2022Oct 21, 2000 · 1 death
Debris flows3Sep 2025Sep 25, 2025 · $3,000 damage
Dust storms1Aug 2018—
High winds1Mar 2022Mar 28, 2022 · $3,000 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 Apache Junction/Gold Canyon forecast zone and Pinal County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Apache Junction?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWA (Phoenix, AZ), about 10 miles 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over Apache JunctionView
KIWA
Phoenix, AZ		10 mi southwest500 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KFSX
Flagstaff, AZ		85 mi north-northeast7,500 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KEMX
Tucson, AZ		116 mi south-southeast12,000 ftLimited — 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 Apache Junction

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 31 tornadoes within 25 miles of Apache Junction, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F2 on August 30, 1971, which passed about 19 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF0 on October 16, 2022, which touched down about 23 miles west-southwest of town.

Hail: 42 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 October 5, 2010.

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 Apache Junction'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.

Apache Junction radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Apache Junction, AZ?

KIWA (Phoenix, AZ), about 10 miles southwest. KFSX (Flagstaff, AZ) is 85 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Apache Junction?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Apache Junction the lowest scan from KIWA is about 500 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

Is TALON's radar for Apache Junction 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 Apache Junction, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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