Clifton, AZ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Clifton, Greenlee County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Clifton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged dangerous heat on 44 days in the Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys including Clifton/Safford forecast zone and Greenlee County — the most common reported hazard around Clifton, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (21 days) and wildfires (18 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive heat | 44 | Mar 2026 | Jul 10, 2024 · 2 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 21 | Jul 2022 | Aug 6, 2002 · $100,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 18 | Aug 2025 | Jul 1, 2021 · $50,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 17 | Sep 2025 | Jul 12, 2002 · $40,000 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 | 5 | Aug 2022 | Aug 22, 2022 · $250,000 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 Greenlee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Clifton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEMX (Tucson, AZ), about 111 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 Clifton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEMX Tucson, AZ | 111 mi southwest | 11,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KIWA Phoenix, AZ | 139 mi west | 16,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSX Flagstaff, AZ | 153 mi northwest | 18,800 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 Clifton
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Clifton since 1950.
Hail: 2 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on August 20, 1990.
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 Clifton'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.
Clifton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Clifton, AZ?
KEMX (Tucson, AZ), about 111 miles southwest. KIWA (Phoenix, AZ) is 139 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Clifton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Clifton the lowest scan from KEMX is about 11,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Clifton 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 Clifton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Safford, AZ radar 28 mi
- Thatcher, AZ radar 32 mi
- Pima, AZ radar 34 mi