Rainbow City, AZ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rainbow City, Navajo County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rainbow City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 95 days in the White Mountains forecast zone and Navajo County — the most common reported hazard around Rainbow City, mostly in July and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (92 days) and high winds (63 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 95 | Sep 2025 | Aug 11, 2022 · $30,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 92 | Mar 2025 | Jan 3, 2005 · 2 deaths |
| High winds | 63 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 25 | Oct 2025 | Mar 22, 2023 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 21 | Sep 2025 | Apr 23, 1997 · $6,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 14 | May 2021 | Jun 1, 2011 · $58 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Dec 2022 | Jan 1, 2011 · $50,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 5 | Jul 2013 | Jul 19, 2013 · 1 death |
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 White Mountains forecast zone and Navajo County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Rainbow City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSX (Flagstaff, AZ), about 85 miles northwest. 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 Rainbow City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSX Flagstaff, AZ | 85 mi northwest | 7,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KIWA Phoenix, AZ | 106 mi west-southwest | 10,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KEMX Tucson, AZ | 142 mi south-southwest | 16,600 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 Rainbow City
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Rainbow City since 1950.
Hail: 11 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on August 19, 2001.
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 Rainbow City'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.
Rainbow City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rainbow City, AZ?
KFSX (Flagstaff, AZ), about 85 miles northwest. KIWA (Phoenix, AZ) is 106 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rainbow City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rainbow City the lowest scan from KFSX is about 7,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Rainbow City 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 Rainbow City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Show Low, AZ radar 27 mi
- Taylor, AZ radar 40 mi
- Eagar, AZ radar 42 mi
- Springerville, AZ radar 44 mi
- Snowflake, AZ radar 45 mi
- Globe, AZ radar 55 mi
- St. Johns, AZ radar 55 mi
- Miami, AZ radar 61 mi