Cuyama, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cuyama, Santa Barbara County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cuyama?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 39 days in the Cuyama Valley forecast zone and Santa Barbara County — the most common reported hazard around Cuyama, mostly in February and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (15 days) and high winds (11 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 39 | Jan 2026 | Mar 22, 2005 · 2 deaths |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 15 | Feb 2026 | Mar 31, 2024 · $5,000 damage |
| High winds | 11 | Jan 2021 | — |
| Flooding | 10 | Nov 2001 | — |
| Wildfires | 6 | Aug 2025 | Sep 13, 2000 · $662,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 5 | Feb 2001 | — |
| Debris flows | 5 | Feb 2026 | Jan 9, 2018 · 21 deaths · $617 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Sep 2007 | — |
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 Cuyama Valley forecast zone and Santa Barbara County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Cuyama?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KVTX (Los Angeles, CA), about 44 miles 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Cuyama | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KVTX Los Angeles, CA | 44 mi southeast | 3,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KVBX Vandenberg AFB, CA | 45 mi west | 3,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KHNX San Joaquin Valley, CA | 96 mi north | 9,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Cuyama
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Cuyama. The strongest was an F1 on March 17, 1991, which touched down about 16 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 1 report of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.00-inch hail on June 10, 2015.
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 Cuyama'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.
Cuyama radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cuyama, CA?
KVTX (Los Angeles, CA), about 44 miles southeast. KVBX (Vandenberg AFB, CA) is 45 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cuyama?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cuyama the lowest scan from KVTX is about 3,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Cuyama 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 Cuyama, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Maricopa, CA radar 14 mi
- Taft, CA radar 17 mi
- Santa Barbara, CA radar 37 mi
- Goleta, CA radar 37 mi
- Solvang, CA radar 38 mi
- Carpinteria, CA radar 38 mi
- Ojai, CA radar 39 mi
- Buellton, CA radar 39 mi
- Bakersfield, CA radar 44 mi
- Shafter, CA radar 45 mi