Rio Rico, AZ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rio Rico, Santa Cruz County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rio Rico?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 81 days in the Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys including Nogales forecast zone and Santa Cruz County — the most common reported hazard around Rio Rico, mostly in August and July. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (67 days) and excessive heat (51 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 81 | Jul 2025 | Jul 12, 2008 · 2 deaths · $600,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 67 | Jul 2025 | Jun 29, 1996 · $330,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 51 | Sep 2025 | Jul 15, 2023 · 6 deaths |
| Wildfires | 16 | Jun 2025 | Apr 29, 2002 · $90,000 damage |
| High winds | 7 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 5 | Mar 2023 | Jan 2, 2019 · $10,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Jun 2025 | Jul 30, 2014 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Mar 2025 | Jan 23, 2023 · 2 deaths |
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 Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys including Nogales forecast zone and Santa Cruz County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Rio Rico?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEMX (Tucson, AZ), about 35 miles 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 Rio Rico | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEMX Tucson, AZ | 35 mi northeast | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KIWA Phoenix, AZ | 130 mi north-northwest | 14,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSX Flagstaff, AZ | 213 mi north | 32,500 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 Rio Rico
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Rio Rico. The strongest was an EF0 on May 9, 2012, which touched down about 6 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 34 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on September 28, 1995.
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 Rio Rico'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.
Rio Rico radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rio Rico, AZ?
KEMX (Tucson, AZ), about 35 miles northeast. KIWA (Phoenix, AZ) is 130 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rio Rico?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rio Rico the lowest scan from KEMX is about 2,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rio Rico 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 Rio Rico, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Nogales, AZ radar 10 mi
- Sahuarita, AZ radar 30 mi
- Huachuca City, AZ radar 39 mi
- Sierra Vista, AZ radar 40 mi
- Tucson, AZ radar 46 mi
- South Tucson, AZ radar 48 mi
- Benson, AZ radar 48 mi
- Tombstone, AZ radar 56 mi