California Weather Radar

California Live Weather

California Live Weather Radar

Click to toggle between the California cloud cover radar map and the California precipitation radar map.

California Hourly Weather Forecast

California 7-Day Weather Forecast

California Weather Overview

California weather radar covers a state with some of the sharpest weather contrasts in the country. Most of coastal and central California has a Mediterranean climate, with wet winters and long dry summers, while the Sierra Nevada, Central Valley, and interior deserts shift the pattern fast. California averages about 23.5 inches of precipitation statewide, and the NWS network for the state includes offices in Eureka, Sacramento, San Francisco-Monterey, Hanford, Los Angeles-Oxnard, and San Diego. Checking California weather radar matters because one storm track can bring coastal rain, Sierra snow, valley fog, and desert wind in the same day.

Flooding is one of the most dangerous statewide threats. NWS records show the December 1861 to January 1862 floods dumped 33.90 inches of rain on San Francisco in two months and put about 10 feet of water into Sacramento. Another historic flood in December 1964 set record peaks across the North Coast, while the 2023 atmospheric river sequence triggered widespread flooding, mudslides, and evacuations. California weather radar helps you see where the heaviest rain bands are lining up before roads, burn scars, and smaller rivers react.

Wildfire weather, heat, and mountain storms round out the risk. California’s state record high is 134°F at Death Valley, and dry offshore wind events can turn a small ignition into a fast-moving fire. In winter, Sierra storms can shut down passes while Southern California stays dry. Use California weather radar to track rain, snow, and thunderstorm cells before you head out.

California Weather Risks & Safety

Key weather hazards to monitor on the California weather radar

Flooding & Flash Flood Risk

Flash flooding is California's most persistent weather hazard. Slow-moving thunderstorms or tropical moisture can dump enough rain to overwhelm drainage systems within hours — especially in paved urban areas where water has nowhere to go. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.

Wildfire Smoke Risk

Wildfire smoke drifts into California even when the fires are hundreds of miles away. Upper-level winds carry smoke plumes that turn skies hazy and push the Air Quality Index into unhealthy territory. Radar can't detect smoke directly, but it shows the wind patterns and incoming fronts that determine whether smoke lingers over California or gets pushed out. If you have asthma or respiratory issues, check the AQI alongside the radar during wildfire season.

Extreme Heat Risk

Summers in California get dangerously hot — heat indices regularly push past 100°F, and heat waves can last for weeks. When the radar shows clear skies with no storm activity for days, that usually means the heat is building. Outdoor workers, elderly residents, and anyone without reliable AC are most at risk. Stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, and check on neighbors who might be struggling.

Winter Storm Risk

Winter storms hit California when Gulf or Pacific moisture runs into cold Arctic air — the result is some combination of heavy snow, ice, and strong winds. The key thing to watch on radar is the rain-snow line: that boundary determines whether California gets rain, freezing rain, or heavy snow, and it can shift by miles in an hour. When a winter storm watch goes up, stock your emergency supplies and plan to stay home.

How to Use California Weather Radar

Follow these steps to get the most from the California weather radar data.

Check Current Conditions Across California

Start with the live conditions summary at the top of the California radar page. Temperatures can swing from coastal fog near Eureka to desert heat near Palm Springs on the same day, so check the statewide snapshot before planning travel.

Watch the Radar Animation

Play the radar loop to see where rain bands, mountain snow, and thunderstorm cells are developing. This is especially useful during atmospheric river events, when heavy rain can line up over burn scars, rivers, and Sierra passes for hours.

Review the Hourly and 7-Day Forecast

Scroll down for hourly and extended forecast details covering the full state. Watch for flood alerts in the Central Valley, winter weather in the Sierra Nevada, and heat spikes inland from Sacramento to the southern deserts.

Plan Around California Weather Risks

Before driving I-5, crossing Donner Pass, or heading into wildfire-prone foothills, check California weather radar again. Rain, snow, wind, and dry lightning can all create hazards fast, even when nearby areas stay quiet.

Who Benefits from California Weather Radar

How different people use the California radar data

Commuters & Drivers

Check radar before driving I-5, Highway 99, or crossing Donner Pass, where rain, snow, and fog can change fast.

Outdoor Enthusiasts

Hikers in Yosemite, Tahoe, and Big Sur can spot incoming Sierra storms, coastal fog, and thunder cells before heading out.

Event Planners & Families

From Dodger Stadium to Coachella and shoreline festivals, radar helps time rain bands, heat spikes, and gusty wind windows.

Outdoor Workers

Farm crews, utility teams, and construction workers can track flood risk, wildfire weather, and extreme inland heat across California.

California Weather FAQ

Common questions about California weather patterns and radar

When is the rainy season in California?

Most of California gets the bulk of its precipitation between November and March. State climate assessments say roughly 75 percent of annual precipitation falls during that period, and California averages about 23.5 inches statewide. That pattern is why California weather radar becomes especially important during winter storm season, when a few strong Pacific systems can deliver flooding rain to the coast and heavy snow to the Sierra in the same week.

What are the biggest flood threats in California?

California's biggest flood setups are atmospheric rivers, long-duration Pacific storms, and rapid runoff onto burn scars and valley rivers. The NWS notes the December 1861 to January 1862 event flooded Sacramento under about 10 feet of water, and the December 1964 storm set record peaks on North Coast rivers. In modern winters, radar is the fastest way to see whether rain bands are training over your watershed.

How bad is wildfire weather in California?

Wildfire weather is a statewide concern, especially from late summer into fall when vegetation is driest and offshore wind events strengthen. In Southern California, Santa Ana winds can push humidity below 15 percent and accelerate fire spread. Dry lightning in the north and foothills adds another trigger. California weather radar helps with storm tracking, but pairing radar with fire weather warnings is just as important during red flag periods.

Does California get tornadoes or hurricanes?

California does get tornadoes, but they are usually weaker and shorter-lived than Plains tornadoes. The state also sees very few tropical cyclones. Climate summaries note only three tropical storms have made landfall in recorded history, though remnant moisture can still bring heavy rain into Southern California. Radar matters here because brief tornado spin-ups, thunderstorms, and tropical remnants can all develop with limited lead time.

How is this California weather radar different from KTLA weather radar?

KTLA weather radar is useful if you want a Southern California TV forecast with live meteorologist coverage and local news context. This page is built for quick statewide viewing, with interactive RainViewer radar imagery, hourly forecast data, and a broader California footprint from Eureka and Sacramento to Los Angeles and San Diego. Radar imagery updates about every 10 minutes, so it works well when you want fast map access without a broadcast stream.

What are California's temperature extremes?

California holds some of the most dramatic temperature extremes in the country. State climate records list the all-time high at 134°F in Death Valley on July 10, 1913, and the all-time low at -45°F in Boca on January 20, 1937. Those extremes make sense in a state that includes cool Pacific shoreline, high Sierra terrain, Central Valley inversions, and true desert basins.