Buckeye, AZ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Buckeye, Maricopa County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Buckeye?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 376 days in the Buckeye/Avondale forecast zone and Maricopa County — the most common reported hazard around Buckeye, mostly in August and July. Next come flash flooding (219 days) and excessive heat (96 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 376 | Nov 2025 | Jul 14, 2001 · 1 death · $5.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 219 | Nov 2025 | Mar 28, 1998 · 3 deaths |
| Excessive heat | 96 | Jun 2024 | Jul 23, 2023 · 18 deaths |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 56 | Oct 2025 | Jul 27, 1999 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 51 | Nov 2025 | Apr 1, 2023 · 2 deaths |
| Dust storms | 10 | Aug 2025 | — |
| High winds | 2 | Jun 2024 | Oct 3, 2022 · $5,000 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 Buckeye/Avondale forecast zone and Maricopa County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Buckeye?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWA (Phoenix, AZ), about 57 miles east. 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 Buckeye | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIWA Phoenix, AZ | 57 mi east | 4,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KFSX Flagstaff, AZ | 114 mi northeast | 11,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KYUX Yuma, AZ | 134 mi west-southwest | 15,100 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 Buckeye
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 13 tornadoes within 25 miles of Buckeye, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and October. The strongest was an F2 on October 3, 1968, which touched down about 14 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 27, 2025, which touched down about 16 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 20 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on October 5, 2021.
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 Buckeye'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.
Buckeye radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Buckeye, AZ?
KIWA (Phoenix, AZ), about 57 miles east. KFSX (Flagstaff, AZ) is 114 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Buckeye?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Buckeye the lowest scan from KIWA is about 4,200 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Buckeye 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 Buckeye, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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