Payson, AZ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Payson, Gila County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Payson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 153 days in the Northern Gila County forecast zone and Gila County — the most common reported hazard around Payson, mostly in July and August. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (63 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (58 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 153 | Nov 2025 | Jul 15, 2017 · 10 deaths |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 63 | Sep 2025 | Sep 1, 2019 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 58 | Mar 2025 | Dec 7, 2009 · 1 death |
| Wildfires | 24 | Jun 2021 | Jul 3, 2020 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 21 | Oct 2025 | Nov 29, 2019 · 3 deaths · $50,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 9 | Sep 2009 | Aug 12, 2000 · 1 death |
| High winds | 5 | Jan 2022 | Jan 27, 2022 · $100,000 damage |
| Debris flows | 3 | Jul 2021 | Jul 27, 2020 · $50,000 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 Northern Gila County forecast zone and Gila County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Payson get?
A normal year brings about 19 inches of snow to Payson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Payson weather station 1.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (4.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 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 Payson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSX (Flagstaff, AZ), about 24 miles north-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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Payson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSX Flagstaff, AZ | 24 mi north-northeast | 1,400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KIWA Phoenix, AZ | 69 mi south-southwest | 5,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KEMX Tucson, AZ | 167 mi south-southeast | 21,700 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 Payson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 4 tornadoes within 25 miles of Payson, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and October. The strongest was an EF2 on October 6, 2010, which passed about 14 miles north of town. The most recent was an EF1 on November 19, 2023, which touched down about 3 miles east of town.
Hail: 26 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 June 13, 1955.
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 Payson'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.
Payson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Payson, AZ?
KFSX (Flagstaff, AZ), about 24 miles north-northeast. KIWA (Phoenix, AZ) is 69 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Payson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Payson the lowest scan from KFSX is about 1,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Payson 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 Payson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Sedona, AZ radar 50 mi
- Cottonwood, AZ radar 52 mi
- Clarkdale, AZ radar 55 mi
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