Paradise Valley, AZ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Paradise Valley, Maricopa County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Paradise Valley?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 376 days in the Scottsdale/Paradise Valley forecast zone and Maricopa County — the most common reported hazard around Paradise Valley, mostly in August and July. Next come flash flooding (219 days) and excessive heat (76 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 376 | Nov 2025 | Jul 14, 2001 · 1 death · $5.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 219 | Nov 2025 | Mar 28, 1998 · 3 deaths |
| Excessive heat | 76 | Jun 2024 | Jul 11, 2023 · 15 deaths |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 56 | Oct 2025 | Jul 27, 1999 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 51 | Nov 2025 | Apr 1, 2023 · 2 deaths |
| Dust storms | 5 | 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 Scottsdale/Paradise Valley forecast zone and Maricopa County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Paradise Valley?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWA (Phoenix, AZ), about 25 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 Paradise Valley | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIWA Phoenix, AZ | 25 mi southeast | 1,400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KFSX Flagstaff, AZ | 83 mi north-northeast | 7,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KEMX Tucson, AZ | 138 mi southeast | 15,900 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 Paradise Valley
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 50 tornadoes within 25 miles of Paradise Valley, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and August. The strongest was an F2 on August 30, 1971, which passed about 11 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on October 16, 2022, which touched down about 25 miles south of town.
Hail: 95 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 5 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on October 5, 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 Paradise Valley'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.
Paradise Valley radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Paradise Valley, AZ?
KIWA (Phoenix, AZ), about 25 miles southeast. KFSX (Flagstaff, AZ) is 83 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Paradise Valley?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Paradise Valley the lowest scan from KIWA is about 1,400 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Paradise Valley 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 Paradise Valley, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Phoenix, AZ radar 8 mi
- Scottsdale, AZ radar 11 mi
- Tempe, AZ radar 11 mi
- Guadalupe, AZ radar 13 mi
- Glendale, AZ radar 13 mi
- Fountain Hills, AZ radar 13 mi
- Mesa, AZ radar 18 mi
- Tolleson, AZ radar 18 mi
- Carefree, AZ radar 19 mi
- Chandler, AZ radar 20 mi