Tempe, AZ Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for TempeWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Tempe?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 376 days in the East Valley forecast zone and Maricopa County — the most common reported hazard around Tempe, mostly in August and July. Next come flash flooding (219 days) and excessive heat (155 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 heat155Jun 2024Jul 11, 2023 · 36 deaths
Lightning casualties & damage56Oct 2025Jul 27, 1999 · 1 death
Flooding51Nov 2025Apr 1, 2023 · 2 deaths
Dust storms22Sep 2025Apr 12, 2018 · 1 death
High winds2Oct 2022—

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 East Valley forecast zone and Maricopa County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Tempe?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWA (Phoenix, AZ), about 17 miles east-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 TempeView
KIWA
Phoenix, AZ		17 mi east-southeast900 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KFSX
Flagstaff, AZ		92 mi north-northeast8,500 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KEMX
Tucson, AZ		128 mi southeast14,100 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 Tempe

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 55 tornadoes within 25 miles of Tempe, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and September. The strongest was an F2 on August 30, 1971, which crossed near town. The most recent was an EF0 on October 16, 2022, which touched down about 13 miles south-southeast of town.

Hail: 91 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 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 Tempe'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.

Tempe radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Tempe, AZ?

KIWA (Phoenix, AZ), about 17 miles east-southeast. KFSX (Flagstaff, AZ) is 92 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Tempe?

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

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

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