Phoenix, AZ Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for PhoenixWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Phoenix?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 376 days in the North Phoenix/Glendale forecast zone and Maricopa County — the most common reported hazard around Phoenix, mostly in August and July. Next come flash flooding (219 days) and excessive heat (109 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds376Nov 2025Jul 14, 2001 · 1 death · $5.0 million damage
Flash flooding219Nov 2025Mar 28, 1998 · 3 deaths
Excessive heat109Jun 2024Jul 11, 2023 · 18 deaths
Lightning casualties & damage56Oct 2025Jul 27, 1999 · 1 death
Flooding51Nov 2025Apr 1, 2023 · 2 deaths
Dust storms7Aug 2025—
High winds3Sep 2025Oct 3, 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 North Phoenix/Glendale forecast zone and Maricopa County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Phoenix?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWA (Phoenix, AZ), about 31 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over PhoenixView
KIWA
Phoenix, AZ		31 mi southeast1,900 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KFSX
Flagstaff, AZ		86 mi northeast7,700 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KEMX
Tucson, AZ		144 mi southeast16,900 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 Phoenix

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 49 tornadoes within 25 miles of Phoenix, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and August. The strongest was an F2 on August 30, 1971, which passed about 16 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on November 29, 2019, which crossed near town.

Hail: 97 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 Phoenix'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.

Phoenix radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Phoenix, AZ?

KIWA (Phoenix, AZ), about 31 miles southeast. KFSX (Flagstaff, AZ) is 86 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Phoenix?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Phoenix the lowest scan from KIWA is about 1,900 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

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

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