Blackwater, AZ Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for BlackwaterWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Blackwater?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 197 days in the Northwest Pinal County forecast zone and Pinal County — the most common reported hazard around Blackwater, mostly in July and August. Next come flash flooding (102 days) and dust storms (62 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds197Sep 2025Aug 13, 2007 · $5.0 million damage
Flash flooding102Oct 2025Sep 9, 2006 · 2 deaths
Dust storms62Mar 2026Oct 18, 2024 · $5,000 damage
Excessive heat41Jun 2024—
Flooding22Oct 2025Jul 25, 2021 · $7.5 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage9Sep 2022Oct 21, 2000 · 1 death
Debris flows3Sep 2025Sep 25, 2025 · $3,000 damage
High winds1Feb 2023Feb 22, 2023 · $1,000 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 Northwest Pinal County forecast zone and Pinal County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Blackwater?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWA (Phoenix, AZ), about 18 miles north-northwest. 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 BlackwaterView
KIWA
Phoenix, AZ		18 mi north-northwest1,000 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KEMX
Tucson, AZ		97 mi southeast9,100 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KFSX
Flagstaff, AZ		108 mi north-northeast10,900 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 Blackwater

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 25 tornadoes within 25 miles of Blackwater. Most came in July and September. The strongest was an F1 on June 21, 1972, which touched down about 20 miles south of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on March 7, 2024, which touched down about 19 miles south-southwest of town.

Hail: 21 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on October 13, 2025.

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 Blackwater'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.

Blackwater radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Blackwater, AZ?

KIWA (Phoenix, AZ), about 18 miles north-northwest. KEMX (Tucson, AZ) is 97 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Blackwater?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Blackwater the lowest scan from KIWA is about 1,000 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

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

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