Elkhorn, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Elkhorn, Monterey County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Elkhorn?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 53 days in the Southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast forecast zone and Monterey County — the most common reported hazard around Elkhorn, mostly in January and February. Next come debris flows (24 days) and high winds (21 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 53 | Feb 2026 | Feb 13, 2025 · 1 death |
| Debris flows | 24 | Feb 2025 | May 19, 2017 · $10 million damage |
| High winds | 21 | Feb 2026 | Feb 10, 2026 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 21 | Mar 2024 | Feb 6, 1998 · $10 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 6 | Dec 2025 | Feb 13, 2025 · $10 damage |
| Wildfires | 5 | Dec 2013 | Sep 8, 1999 · $67 million damage |
| Coastal flooding | 5 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 3 | Mar 2026 | — |
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 Southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast forecast zone and Monterey County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Elkhorn?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMUX (San Francisco, CA), about 26 miles north-northwest. 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 Elkhorn | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMUX San Francisco, CA | 26 mi north-northwest | 1,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDAX Sacramento, CA | 117 mi north | 12,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KHNX San Joaquin Valley, CA | 121 mi east-southeast | 12,900 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 Elkhorn
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 15 tornadoes within 25 miles of Elkhorn, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in December and April. The strongest was an F2 on March 11, 1985, which touched down about 18 miles east of town. The most recent was an EF1 on December 14, 2024, which touched down about 24 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 6 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on April 1, 1965.
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 Elkhorn'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.
Elkhorn radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Elkhorn, CA?
KMUX (San Francisco, CA), about 26 miles north-northwest. KDAX (Sacramento, CA) is 117 miles away and also covers the area.
How often does Elkhorn flood?
Since 1996 the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 53 days in the Southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast forecast zone and Monterey County; the deadliest was on February 13, 2025, with 1 death. TALON's free flash-flood risk layer shows, every 2 minutes, how close the rain that has fallen is to what it takes to flood — turn it on under Layers.
Is TALON's radar for Elkhorn 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 Elkhorn, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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