Drexel Heights, AZ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Drexel Heights, Pima County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Drexel Heights?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 426 days in the Tucson Metro Area including Tucson/Green Valley/Marana/Vail forecast zone and Pima County — the most common reported hazard around Drexel Heights, mostly in July and August. Next come flash flooding (357 days) and excessive heat (197 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 426 | Jun 2026 | Jul 14, 2024 · $25 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 357 | Jun 2026 | Aug 3, 2008 · 3 deaths |
| Excessive heat | 197 | Jun 2026 | Jul 14, 2023 · 40 deaths |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 66 | Jul 2025 | Aug 14, 2014 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 37 | Jul 2025 | Sep 7, 2012 · 1 death · $20,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 14 | Aug 2023 | Jun 17, 2003 · $66 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Feb 2026 | Jan 18, 2026 · 2 deaths |
| Debris flows | 8 | Jul 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 · $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 Tucson Metro Area including Tucson/Green Valley/Marana/Vail forecast zone and Pima County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Drexel Heights?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEMX (Tucson, AZ), about 30 miles 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 Drexel Heights | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEMX Tucson, AZ | 30 mi southeast | 1,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KIWA Phoenix, AZ | 87 mi north-northwest | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFSX Flagstaff, AZ | 168 mi north | 21,900 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 Drexel Heights
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 25 tornadoes within 25 miles of Drexel Heights, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F2 on August 27, 1964, which touched down about 4 miles north-northeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 16, 2025, which touched down about 15 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 94 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on August 28, 2002.
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 Drexel Heights'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.
Drexel Heights radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Drexel Heights, AZ?
KEMX (Tucson, AZ), about 30 miles southeast. KIWA (Phoenix, AZ) is 87 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Drexel Heights?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Drexel Heights the lowest scan from KEMX is about 1,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Drexel Heights 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 Drexel Heights, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- South Tucson, AZ radar 6 mi
- Tucson, AZ radar 10 mi
- Sahuarita, AZ radar 15 mi
- Oro Valley, AZ radar 19 mi
- Marana, AZ radar 23 mi
- Mammoth, AZ radar 42 mi
- Benson, AZ radar 45 mi
- Eloy, AZ radar 52 mi
- Nogales, AZ radar 55 mi
- Huachuca City, AZ radar 55 mi