Cactus Forest, AZ Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for Cactus ForestWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Cactus Forest?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 197 days in the South Central Pinal County including Eloy/Picacho Peak State Park forecast zone and Pinal County — the most common reported hazard around Cactus Forest, mostly in July and August. Next come flash flooding (102 days) and excessive heat (42 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds197Sep 2025Aug 13, 2007 · $5.0 million damage
Flash flooding102Oct 2025Sep 9, 2006 · 2 deaths
Excessive heat42Aug 2024—
Dust storms26Sep 2025Oct 29, 2013 · 3 deaths · $500,000 damage
Flooding22Oct 2025Jul 25, 2021 · $7.5 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage9Sep 2022Oct 21, 2000 · 1 death
Debris flows3Sep 2025Sep 25, 2025 · $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 South Central Pinal County including Eloy/Picacho Peak State Park forecast zone and Pinal County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Cactus Forest?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWA (Phoenix, AZ), about 31 miles 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 Cactus ForestView
KIWA
Phoenix, AZ		31 mi northwest1,900 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KEMX
Tucson, AZ		84 mi south-southeast7,400 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KFSX
Flagstaff, AZ		112 mi north11,400 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 Cactus Forest

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 14 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cactus Forest. Most came in July and March. The strongest was an F1 on June 21, 1972, which touched down about 20 miles southwest of town. The most recent was an F0 on July 6, 1999, which passed about 22 miles north of town.

Hail: 11 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on October 21, 2018.

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 Cactus Forest'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.

Cactus Forest radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Cactus Forest, AZ?

KIWA (Phoenix, AZ), about 31 miles northwest. KEMX (Tucson, AZ) is 84 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Cactus Forest?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Cactus Forest the lowest scan from KIWA is about 1,900 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

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

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