Tucson Weather Radar

Tucson Live Weather

Tucson Live Weather Radar

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

Tucson Hourly Weather Forecast

Tucson 7-Day Weather Forecast

Tucson Weather Overview

Tucson weather radar tracks monsoon storms, haboobs, and flash floods across the Sonoran Desert where weather shifts fast during summer months. The Tucson weather radar network monitors developing thunderstorms via Doppler technology as they build over surrounding mountain ranges and push into Pima County. Tucson averages only 11.76 inches of precipitation annually, but monsoon season accounts for roughly 30% of that total, and Doppler weather radar helps residents see exactly when dangerous downpours will strike.

Monsoon thunderstorms from July through September are Tucson's most significant weather threat. The October 1983 floods from Tropical Storm Octave remnants dropped over 7 inches of rain in 24 hours, overflowing the Santa Cruz River and causing multiple fatalities. Tucson weather radar is critical during these events because storms can produce 1-2 inches within hours, overwhelming dry washes and urban drainage. Haboobs generated by thunderstorm outflows frequently reduce visibility to near zero — the July 2006 event caused widespread accidents and left 10,000 residents without power. Tucson Doppler radar tracked outflow boundaries ahead of that storm. Extreme heat compounds the danger, with the 2020 season recording 53 days above 105°F and the all-time high reaching 117°F in 1990.

The National Weather Service Tucson office (WFO TWC) provides Doppler radar coverage for southern Arizona. Live Tucson weather radar tracking helps drivers on I-10 and I-19 avoid flash flooding in underpasses during monsoon downpours. The 2020-2023 megadrought saw annual rainfall drop to just 8.73 inches, well below average. Tucson weather radar remains essential year-round in a desert city where winter lows can dip to 16°F and summer storms develop within minutes.

Tucson Weather Risks & Safety

Key weather hazards to monitor on the Tucson weather radar

Dust Storm & Haboob Risk

Dust storms — including massive haboobs — are a real hazard in Tucson, especially during monsoon season (June through September). A wall of dust can drop visibility to zero in seconds. Dust itself doesn't show on radar, but the thunderstorm outflow boundaries that trigger dust storms do. When radar shows a strong downdraft pushing toward Tucson, pull completely off the road, turn off your headlights, and wait it out.

How to Use Tucson Weather Radar

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

Open the interactive radar map

Access the live radar display showing Tucson and surrounding Pima County. The map refreshes automatically every 10 minutes with the latest precipitation data from the National Weather Service Tucson office (WFO TWC), essential during July-September monsoon season when storms develop rapidly.

Check storm intensity and movement

Use color-coded overlays to identify rainfall rates and storm cell strength. During Tucson's monsoon season, intense thunderstorms can produce 1-2 inches of rain within hours. Monitor storm direction to anticipate flash flood risks in vulnerable washes and low-lying areas across the metro.

Review hourly and 7-day forecasts

Scroll below the radar to view detailed hourly temperature, precipitation probability, and wind conditions. Summer temperatures routinely exceed 105°F, while winter lows can occasionally drop to freezing. The 7-day outlook helps plan around Tucson's extreme desert heat and seasonal monsoon patterns.

Monitor for dust storms and haboobs

Watch for sudden wind shifts and outflow boundaries on radar, indicating potential haboob formation. These dramatic dust walls can reduce visibility to near-zero within minutes during monsoon thunderstorm outflows, creating hazardous driving conditions throughout Tucson and surrounding desert areas.

Who Benefits from Tucson Weather Radar

How different people use the Tucson radar data

Commuters & Drivers

Daily commuters on I-10, I-19, and the Tucson Loop rely on radar to avoid flash flooding in underpasses and monsoon downpours that create hazardous road conditions. Real-time updates help drivers navigate safely through sudden dust storms and heavy rainfall during the peak summer monsoon season when visibility can drop instantly.

Outdoor Enthusiasts

Hikers exploring Saguaro National Park, Sabino Canyon, and Tumamoc Hill need radar alerts for approaching monsoon thunderstorms and lightning strikes. Desert trails offer no shelter, making advance warning critical during July-September when afternoon storms develop rapidly. Radar helps outdoor enthusiasts time their activities around extreme heat and sudden weather changes.

Event Planners & Families

Attendees at Arizona Stadium, Kino Sports Complex, and Reid Park events depend on radar for monsoon storm timing and lightning safety. Outdoor concerts, University of Arizona sports, and community festivals require real-time weather monitoring during summer months when thunderstorms can force sudden evacuations and event postponements.

Outdoor Workers

Construction crews, landscapers, and outdoor workers across Tucson's growing aerospace and defense sectors monitor radar for extreme heat warnings and approaching storms. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base operations and outdoor industries rely on hourly forecasts to schedule work safely around temperatures exceeding 110°F and sudden monsoon weather.

Tucson Weather FAQ

Common questions about Tucson weather patterns and radar

What are the main weather risks in Tucson that radar helps track?

Tucson faces intense monsoon thunderstorms from July through September, bringing flash flooding, haboobs, and frequent lightning. The hot-desert climate produces extreme heat exceeding 105°F on 50+ days annually. Radar detects developing storm cells, outflow boundaries triggering dust walls, and precipitation rates that overwhelm desert washes. NWS Tucson (WFO TWC) monitors these patterns, providing real-time tracking essential during monsoon season.

When is monsoon season in Tucson and what should I watch for on radar?

Tucson's North American Monsoon runs from late June through September, peaking in July and August. Watch for afternoon storm cell development moving from the southeast. Red and purple echoes indicate heavy rainfall causing rapid flooding in arroyos and washes. Outflow boundaries appear as thin reflectivity lines signaling haboob formation. The monsoon accounts for roughly 30% of Tucson's annual 11.76 inches of rainfall.

How does radar help detect dust storms (haboobs) in Tucson?

Haboobs form when monsoon thunderstorm downdrafts hit the desert floor and push massive dust walls forward. On radar, look for strong storm cells with expanding outflow boundaries — thin arcs of reflectivity spreading outward. These indicate winds generating dust walls that reduce visibility to near-zero within minutes. The July 2006 Tucson haboob caused multiple accidents and power outages affecting 10,000+ residents. Radar gives 15-30 minutes of warning to seek shelter.

What was Tucson's most significant weather event and how would radar have helped?

The October 1983 flash floods from Tropical Storm Octave remnants brought over 7 inches of rain in 24 hours, causing multiple deaths and millions in property damage. The Santa Cruz River overflowed, overwhelming Tucson's drainage systems. Modern radar would have shown intense, slow-moving precipitation echoes over the basin, giving residents hours of advance warning to evacuate flood-prone areas. Current radar updates every 10 minutes — technology unavailable in 1983.

Does Tucson get snow and can radar detect it?

Tucson receives only 0.9 inches of snowfall annually on average, mostly trace amounts that melt quickly. Measurable snow is extremely rare in the city, though Mount Lemmon regularly receives winter snow. Radar detects frozen precipitation, but Tucson cold-season events typically involve light rain or freezing temperatures near 16°F (record low from 1913). Snow accumulation in the metro occurs less than once per decade.

How is this radar different from KVOA or KOLD weather radar?

KVOA (NBC 4) and KOLD (CBS 13) provide radar alongside broadcast forecasts and meteorologist commentary. This page offers a clean, ad-free interface with interactive RainViewer radar maps, Open-Meteo hourly forecasts, and a 7-day outlook for Tucson. Radar imagery updates every 10 minutes using the same NOAA data. This tool emphasizes fast loading, no commercial interruptions, and a streamlined experience for quick weather checks.