Payson, UT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Payson, Utah County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Payson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 85 days in the Utah Valley forecast zone and Utah County — the most common reported hazard around Payson, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (29 days) and high winds (11 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 85 | May 2026 | Jun 21, 2002 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 29 | Aug 2025 | Sep 12, 2002 · $3.1 million damage |
| High winds | 11 | Jun 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | Jun 2020 | Aug 30, 2015 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 7 | Mar 2024 | — |
| Debris flows | 7 | Apr 2025 | Sep 7, 2013 · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 5 | May 2023 | Aug 1, 2021 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 3 | Jul 2021 | Jul 21, 2021 · 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 Utah Valley forecast zone and Utah County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Payson get?
A normal year brings about 55 inches of snow to Payson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Santaquin Chlorinator weather station 5.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (13.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 5.6 | 11.7 | 13.4 | 13.3 | 6.9 | 3.3 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Payson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMTX (Salt Lake City, UT), about 93 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 Payson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMTX Salt Lake City, UT | 93 mi north-northwest | 8,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KICX Cedar City, UT | 179 mi south-southwest | 24,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGJX Grand Junction, CO | 200 mi east-southeast | 29,100 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 Payson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 9 tornadoes within 25 miles of Payson. Most came in September and July. The strongest was an F1 on July 9, 1965, which touched down about 25 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 13, 2021, which touched down about 16 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 23 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on July 21, 1987.
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 Payson'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.
Payson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Payson, UT?
KMTX (Salt Lake City, UT), about 93 miles north-northwest. KICX (Cedar City, UT) is 179 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Payson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Payson the lowest scan from KMTX is about 8,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Payson 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 Payson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Elk Ridge, UT radar 4 mi
- Salem, UT radar 4 mi
- Woodland Hills, UT radar 5 mi
- Santaquin, UT radar 5 mi
- Genola, UT radar 6 mi
- Spanish Fork, UT radar 7 mi
- Rocky Ridge, UT radar 9 mi
- Mapleton, UT radar 10 mi
- Springville, UT radar 11 mi
- Provo, UT radar 15 mi