San Francisco, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for San Francisco, San Francisco County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits San Francisco?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 55 days in the San Francisco forecast zone and San Francisco County — the most common reported hazard around San Francisco, mostly in February and January. Next come high winds (23 days) and coastal flooding (9 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 55 | Dec 2025 | Jan 11, 2001 · $5.0 million damage |
| High winds | 23 | Mar 2023 | Nov 7, 2002 · $1.0 million damage |
| Coastal flooding | 9 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 8 | Feb 2001 | — |
| Excessive heat | 6 | Mar 2026 | Sep 1, 2017 · 3 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Dec 2014 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 5 | Mar 2018 | Sep 12, 2009 · $120,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 4 | Dec 2024 | Jan 14, 2023 · 1 death |
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 San Francisco forecast zone and San Francisco County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover San Francisco?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMUX (San Francisco, CA), about 74 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over San Francisco | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMUX San Francisco, CA | 74 mi east-southeast | 6,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDAX Sacramento, CA | 91 mi northeast | 8,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KBBX Beale AFB, CA | 144 mi north-northeast | 17,000 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 San Francisco
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of San Francisco since 1950.
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 San Francisco'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.
San Francisco radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to San Francisco, CA?
KMUX (San Francisco, CA), about 74 miles east-southeast. KDAX (Sacramento, CA) is 91 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in San Francisco?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over San Francisco the lowest scan from KMUX is about 6,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for San Francisco 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 San Francisco, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Mill Valley, CA radar 30 mi
- Fairfax, CA radar 30 mi
- Ross, CA radar 30 mi
- San Anselmo, CA radar 31 mi
- Sausalito, CA radar 31 mi
- Daly City, CA radar 31 mi
- Larkspur, CA radar 31 mi
- Pacifica, CA radar 31 mi
- Colma, CA radar 32 mi
- Corte Madera, CA radar 32 mi