Elephant Head, AZ Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Elephant Head, Pima County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for Elephant HeadWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Elephant Head?

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 Elephant Head, mostly in July and August. Next come flash flooding (357 days) and excessive heat (197 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds426Jun 2026Jul 14, 2024 · $25 million damage
Flash flooding357Jun 2026Aug 3, 2008 · 3 deaths
Excessive heat197Jun 2026Jul 14, 2023 · 40 deaths
Lightning casualties & damage66Jul 2025Aug 14, 2014 · 1 death
Flooding37Jul 2025Sep 7, 2012 · 1 death · $20,000 damage
Wildfires14Aug 2023Jun 17, 2003 · $66 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill8Feb 2026Jan 18, 2026 · 2 deaths
Debris flows8Jul 2022Jun 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 Elephant Head?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEMX (Tucson, AZ), about 23 miles east-northeast. 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 Elephant HeadView
KEMX
Tucson, AZ		23 mi east-northeast1,300 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KIWA
Phoenix, AZ		112 mi north-northwest11,500 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KFSX
Flagstaff, AZ		194 mi north27,800 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 Elephant Head

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 11 tornadoes within 25 miles of Elephant Head. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F1 on June 23, 1974, which touched down about 25 miles north of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 16, 2025, which touched down about 15 miles north-northeast of town.

Hail: 36 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on August 13, 1994.

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 Elephant Head'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.

Elephant Head radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Elephant Head, AZ?

KEMX (Tucson, AZ), about 23 miles east-northeast. KIWA (Phoenix, AZ) is 112 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Elephant Head?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Elephant Head the lowest scan from KEMX is about 1,300 ft up.

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

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