Sanders, AZ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sanders, Apache County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sanders?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 73 days in the Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau forecast zone and Apache County — the most common reported hazard around Sanders, mostly in July and August. Next come high winds (54 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (30 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 73 | Aug 2024 | Sep 14, 2013 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 54 | May 2026 | Apr 15, 2009 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 30 | Apr 2025 | Jan 12, 1997 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 16 | Sep 2025 | Jul 30, 2012 · $4,000 damage |
| Flooding | 9 | Oct 2025 | — |
| Dust storms | 5 | Mar 2014 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 5 | Sep 2013 | Sep 20, 2013 · 1 death |
| Wildfires | 3 | Jun 2012 | — |
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 Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau forecast zone and Apache County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sanders get?
A normal year brings about 3.6 inches of snow to Sanders, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sanders weather station 1 mile away. The snowiest month is usually December (1.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 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 Sanders?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSX (Flagstaff, AZ), about 115 miles west-southwest. 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 Sanders | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSX Flagstaff, AZ | 115 mi west-southwest | 11,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABX Albuquerque, NM | 141 mi east | 16,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KIWA Phoenix, AZ | 189 mi southwest | 26,500 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 Sanders
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 3 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sanders. Most came in September and July. The strongest was an F0 on July 25, 2005, which touched down about 14 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 17, 2021, which touched down about 12 miles southeast of town.
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 Sanders'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.
Sanders radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sanders, AZ?
KFSX (Flagstaff, AZ), about 115 miles west-southwest. KABX (Albuquerque, NM) is 141 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sanders?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sanders the lowest scan from KFSX is about 11,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Sanders 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 Sanders, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- St. Johns, AZ radar 49 mi
- Holbrook, AZ radar 52 mi