Sunizona, AZ Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sunizona, Cochise County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sunizona?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 181 days in the Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet including Douglas/Willcox forecast zone and Cochise County — the most common reported hazard around Sunizona, mostly in July and August. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (146 days) and excessive heat (45 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 181 | Jun 2026 | Aug 6, 1997 · 6 deaths |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 146 | Sep 2025 | Aug 24, 2010 · $1.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 45 | May 2026 | Jun 25, 2024 · 2 deaths |
| Dust storms | 24 | Apr 2026 | Apr 28, 2016 · $500,000 damage |
| High winds | 14 | Mar 2025 | Feb 22, 2023 · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 14 | Oct 2025 | Aug 24, 2022 · $1.5 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 13 | Aug 2023 | Jun 30, 2015 · 1 death |
| Wildfires | 8 | May 2025 | Feb 23, 2022 · $150,000 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 Eastern Cochise County Below 5000 Feet including Douglas/Willcox forecast zone and Cochise County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sunizona get?
A normal year brings about 1.2 inches of snow to Sunizona, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Pearce - Sunsites weather station 12.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 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 Sunizona?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEMX (Tucson, AZ), about 58 miles west. 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 Sunizona | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEMX Tucson, AZ | 58 mi west | 4,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KIWA Phoenix, AZ | 153 mi northwest | 18,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KEPZ El Paso, TX | 172 mi east | 22,800 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 Sunizona
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 3 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sunizona. Most came in August and September. The strongest was an F0 on July 16, 1990, which touched down about 11 miles west of town.
Hail: 7 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on August 13, 1979.
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 Sunizona'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.
Sunizona radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sunizona, AZ?
KEMX (Tucson, AZ), about 58 miles west. KIWA (Phoenix, AZ) is 153 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sunizona?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sunizona the lowest scan from KEMX is about 4,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sunizona 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 Sunizona, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Willcox, AZ radar 28 mi
- Tombstone, AZ radar 28 mi
- Douglas, AZ radar 34 mi
- Bisbee, AZ radar 38 mi
- Benson, AZ radar 41 mi
- Huachuca City, AZ radar 45 mi
- Sierra Vista, AZ radar 46 mi