Salton City, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Salton City, Imperial County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Salton City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 48 days in the Imperial County West forecast zone and Imperial County — the most common reported hazard around Salton City, mostly in August and September. Next come excessive heat (46 days) and flash flooding (46 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 48 | Sep 2025 | Sep 15, 2007 · $4.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 46 | Jun 2024 | — |
| Flash flooding | 46 | Sep 2025 | Aug 31, 2021 · 2 deaths · $5,000 damage |
| Flooding | 8 | Jan 2024 | Jan 22, 2024 · $4.0 million damage |
| Dust storms | 5 | Apr 2023 | Mar 15, 2021 · 1 death |
| High winds | 1 | Feb 2023 | Feb 22, 2023 · $76,000 damage |
| 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 Imperial County West forecast zone and Imperial County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Salton City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KNKX (San Diego, CA), about 68 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 Salton City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KNKX San Diego, CA | 68 mi west-southwest | 5,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KYUX Yuma, AZ | 94 mi southeast | 8,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KSOX Santa Ana Mountains, CA | 103 mi west-northwest | 10,000 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 Salton City
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 3 tornadoes within 25 miles of Salton City. Most came in September and May. The strongest was an EF1 on August 6, 2015, which passed about 20 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 2 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.00-inch hail on September 11, 2004.
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 Salton City'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.
Salton City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Salton City, CA?
KNKX (San Diego, CA), about 68 miles west-southwest. KYUX (Yuma, AZ) is 94 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Salton City?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Salton City the lowest scan from KNKX is about 5,400 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Salton City 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 Salton City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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