Cottonwood, AZ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cottonwood, Yavapai County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cottonwood?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 201 days in the Yavapai County Valleys and Basins forecast zone and Yavapai County — the most common reported hazard around Cottonwood, mostly in August and July. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (105 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 201 | Jun 2026 | Nov 18, 2025 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 105 | Aug 2025 | Aug 23, 2015 · $1.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 29 | Jan 2024 | Mar 10, 2006 · 3 deaths |
| Flooding | 25 | Mar 2023 | Jan 21, 2010 · $500,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 14 | Jun 2021 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Aug 2018 | Aug 18, 2004 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 9 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Debris flows | 3 | Jul 2011 | Jul 11, 2011 · $10,000 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 Yavapai County Valleys and Basins forecast zone and Yavapai County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Cottonwood get?
A normal year brings about 1.0 inches of snow to Cottonwood, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Tuzigoot weather station 2.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (0.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Cottonwood?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSX (Flagstaff, AZ), about 46 miles east-southeast. 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 Cottonwood | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSX Flagstaff, AZ | 46 mi east-southeast | 3,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KIWA Phoenix, AZ | 103 mi south | 10,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KESX Las Vegas, NV | 177 mi west-northwest | 23,800 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 Cottonwood
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 14 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cottonwood, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in October and September. The strongest was an EF3 on October 6, 2010, which passed about 22 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 6, 2025, which touched down about 20 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 53 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on October 6, 2010.
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 Cottonwood'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.
Cottonwood radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cottonwood, AZ?
KFSX (Flagstaff, AZ), about 46 miles east-southeast. KIWA (Phoenix, AZ) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cottonwood?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cottonwood the lowest scan from KFSX is about 3,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Sedona, AZ radar 13 mi
- Camp Verde, AZ radar 14 mi
- Prescott Valley, AZ radar 22 mi
- Dewey-Humboldt, AZ radar 22 mi
- Chino Valley, AZ radar 24 mi
- Prescott, AZ radar 28 mi
- Williams, AZ radar 36 mi
- Flagstaff, AZ radar 36 mi
- Payson, AZ radar 52 mi