Yosemite Valley, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Yosemite Valley, Mariposa County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Yosemite Valley?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 56 days in the Yosemite Valley forecast zone and Mariposa County — the most common reported hazard around Yosemite Valley, mostly in January and February. Next come wildfires (20 days) and debris flows (17 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 56 | Mar 2025 | Jun 16, 1998 · $100,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 20 | Jul 2004 | Jul 24, 2001 · $5.0 million damage |
| Debris flows | 17 | Feb 2025 | Dec 27, 2022 · 2 deaths |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 12 | Jul 2024 | Jan 21, 2012 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 9 | Sep 2023 | Sep 13, 2011 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 7 | Oct 2021 | Mar 22, 2018 · 2 deaths · $2.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Jul 2024 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 1 | Mar 2024 | — |
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 Yosemite Valley forecast zone and Mariposa County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Yosemite Valley?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHNX (San Joaquin Valley, CA), about 99 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 Yosemite Valley | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHNX San Joaquin Valley, CA | 99 mi south | 9,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDAX Sacramento, CA | 126 mi west-northwest | 13,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMUX San Francisco, CA | 134 mi west-southwest | 15,100 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 Yosemite Valley
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 2 tornadoes within 25 miles of Yosemite Valley, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. The strongest was an EF2 on September 5, 2020, which passed about 21 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 2 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.00-inch hail on July 13, 2024.
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 Yosemite Valley'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.
Yosemite Valley radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Yosemite Valley, CA?
KHNX (San Joaquin Valley, CA), about 99 miles south. KDAX (Sacramento, CA) is 126 miles away and also covers the area.
How often does Yosemite Valley flood?
Since 1996 the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 56 days in the Yosemite Valley forecast zone and Mariposa County. 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 Yosemite Valley 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 Yosemite Valley, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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