Central, AZ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Central, Graham County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Central?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 81 days in the Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys including Clifton/Safford forecast zone and Graham County — the most common reported hazard around Central, mostly in July and August. Next come flash flooding (46 days) and excessive heat (44 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 81 | Sep 2025 | Sep 5, 2021 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 46 | Jun 2024 | Jul 22, 2021 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 44 | Mar 2026 | Jul 10, 2024 · 2 deaths |
| Wildfires | 18 | Aug 2025 | Jul 1, 2021 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 9 | Mar 2025 | Dec 15, 2021 · $1,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 8 | Mar 2023 | Jan 1, 2019 · $15,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | Aug 2022 | Jan 21, 2010 · $20,000 damage |
| Dust storms | 2 | Aug 2025 | — |
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 Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys including Clifton/Safford forecast zone and Graham County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Central?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEMX (Tucson, AZ), about 83 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Central | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEMX Tucson, AZ | 83 mi southwest | 7,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KIWA Phoenix, AZ | 113 mi west-northwest | 11,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSX Flagstaff, AZ | 143 mi northwest | 16,800 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 Central
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Central. The strongest was an EF0 on July 31, 2015, which touched down about 4 miles east of town.
Hail: 7 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on March 12, 1958.
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 Central'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.
Central radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Central, AZ?
KEMX (Tucson, AZ), about 83 miles southwest. KIWA (Phoenix, AZ) is 113 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Central?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Central the lowest scan from KEMX is about 7,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Central 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 Central, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Pima, AZ radar 3 mi
- Thatcher, AZ radar 4 mi
- Safford, AZ radar 6 mi
- Clifton, AZ radar 31 mi
- Willcox, AZ radar 43 mi
- Mammoth, AZ radar 56 mi