Mescal, AZ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Mescal, Cochise County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Mescal?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 181 days in the Upper San Pedro River Valley including Sierra Vista/Benson forecast zone and Cochise County — the most common reported hazard around Mescal, mostly in July and August. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (146 days) and excessive heat (41 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 181 | Jun 2026 | Aug 6, 1997 · 6 deaths |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 146 | Sep 2025 | Aug 24, 2010 · $1.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 41 | Jun 2026 | Jul 3, 2023 · 3 deaths |
| High winds | 18 | Apr 2026 | Oct 11, 2021 · $75,000 damage |
| Flooding | 14 | Oct 2025 | Aug 24, 2022 · $1.5 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 13 | Aug 2023 | Jun 30, 2015 · 1 death |
| Wildfires | 12 | Jul 2023 | Jun 20, 2017 · $750,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 6 | Mar 2023 | Jan 2, 2019 · $5,000 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 Upper San Pedro River Valley including Sierra Vista/Benson forecast zone and Cochise County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Mescal?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEMX (Tucson, AZ), about 12 miles west-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 Mescal | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEMX Tucson, AZ | 12 mi west-southwest | 600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KIWA Phoenix, AZ | 116 mi northwest | 12,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSX Flagstaff, AZ | 185 mi north-northwest | 25,700 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 Mescal
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 11 tornadoes within 25 miles of Mescal. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an EF1 on July 2, 2024, which passed about 24 miles west-northwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 12, 2025, which touched down about 13 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 28 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on October 21, 2018.
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 Mescal'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.
Mescal radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Mescal, AZ?
KEMX (Tucson, AZ), about 12 miles west-southwest. KIWA (Phoenix, AZ) is 116 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Mescal?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Mescal the lowest scan from KEMX is about 600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Mescal 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 Mescal, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Benson, AZ radar 7 mi
- Huachuca City, AZ radar 24 mi
- Tombstone, AZ radar 27 mi
- Tucson, AZ radar 28 mi
- Sierra Vista, AZ radar 29 mi
- Sahuarita, AZ radar 31 mi
- South Tucson, AZ radar 35 mi
- Willcox, AZ radar 40 mi
- Oro Valley, AZ radar 44 mi
- Bisbee, AZ radar 49 mi