Winterhaven, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Winterhaven, Imperial County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Winterhaven?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 48 days in the Imperial County Southeast forecast zone and Imperial County — the most common reported hazard around Winterhaven, mostly in August and September. Next come flash flooding (46 days) and excessive heat (32 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 | 32 | Sep 2023 | — |
| Flooding | 8 | Jan 2024 | Jan 22, 2024 · $4.0 million damage |
| Dust storms | 2 | Sep 2023 | — |
| Wildfires | 1 | Feb 2022 | Feb 9, 2022 · $350,000 damage |
| High winds | 1 | Aug 2023 | Aug 20, 2023 · $20,000 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 Southeast forecast zone and Imperial County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Winterhaven?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KYUX (Yuma, AZ), about 17 miles south. 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 Winterhaven | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KYUX Yuma, AZ | 17 mi south | 900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KNKX San Diego, CA | 140 mi west | 16,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KIWA Phoenix, AZ | 176 mi east-northeast | 23,600 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 Winterhaven
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 7 tornadoes within 25 miles of Winterhaven. Most came in September and July. The strongest was an F1 on July 5, 1965, which touched down near town. The most recent was an EF0 on October 13, 2018, which touched down about 18 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 6 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.50-inch hail on April 28, 1964.
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 Winterhaven'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.
Winterhaven radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Winterhaven, CA?
KYUX (Yuma, AZ), about 17 miles south. KNKX (San Diego, CA) is 140 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Winterhaven?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Winterhaven the lowest scan from KYUX is about 900 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Winterhaven 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 Winterhaven, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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