Bombay Beach, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bombay Beach, Imperial County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bombay Beach?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 48 days in the Salton Sea forecast zone and Imperial County — the most common reported hazard around Bombay Beach, mostly in August and September. Next come flash flooding (46 days) and excessive heat (35 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 48 | Sep 2025 | Sep 15, 2007 · $4.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 46 | Sep 2025 | Aug 31, 2021 · 2 deaths · $5,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 35 | Jun 2024 | — |
| Flooding | 8 | Jan 2024 | Jan 22, 2024 · $4.0 million damage |
| Dust storms | 1 | Oct 2022 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Oct 2005 | — |
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 Salton Sea forecast zone and Imperial County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Bombay Beach?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KNKX (San Diego, CA), about 82 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 Bombay Beach | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KNKX San Diego, CA | 82 mi west-southwest | 7,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KYUX Yuma, AZ | 86 mi southeast | 7,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KSOX Santa Ana Mountains, CA | 114 mi west-northwest | 11,800 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 Bombay Beach
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 2 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bombay Beach, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. The strongest was an F3 on February 9, 1978, which touched down about 22 miles north of town. The most recent was an F0 on September 18, 1985, which touched down about 16 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 1 report of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.00-inch hail on August 12, 1981.
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 Bombay Beach'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.
Bombay Beach radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bombay Beach, CA?
KNKX (San Diego, CA), about 82 miles west-southwest. KYUX (Yuma, AZ) is 86 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Bombay Beach?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Bombay Beach the lowest scan from KNKX is about 7,100 ft up — fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation.
Is TALON's radar for Bombay Beach 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 Bombay Beach, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Calipatria, CA radar 19 mi
- Westmorland, CA radar 23 mi
- Brawley, CA radar 28 mi
- Coachella, CA radar 33 mi
- Imperial, CA radar 37 mi
- La Quinta, CA radar 37 mi
- Indio, CA radar 39 mi
- El Centro, CA radar 41 mi
- Indian Wells, CA radar 42 mi
- Holtville, CA radar 43 mi