Bayfield, CO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bayfield, La Plata County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bayfield?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 105 days in the Animas River Basin forecast zone and La Plata County — the most common reported hazard around Bayfield, mostly in January and February. Next come flash flooding (45 days) and wildfires (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 105 | Feb 2025 | Nov 8, 1998 · $300,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 45 | Jun 2022 | Jul 24, 2018 · $2.0 million damage |
| Wildfires | 26 | Aug 2025 | Jul 1, 2002 · $8.0 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 22 | Sep 2024 | Apr 29, 1999 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 20 | May 2026 | Apr 29, 1999 · $10,000 damage |
| Debris flows | 15 | Oct 2025 | Aug 7, 2022 · $1,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 12 | Jun 2020 | Jun 6, 2020 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 11 | Oct 2025 | May 22, 2005 · $32,000 damage |
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 Animas River Basin forecast zone and La Plata County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bayfield get?
A normal year brings about 93 inches of snow to Bayfield, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bayfield 6.2 N weather station 6.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (25.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 5.9 | 25.0 | 24.3 | 24.9 | 6.9 | 3.9 | 1.7 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Bayfield?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGJX (Grand Junction, CO), about 131 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 Bayfield | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGJX Grand Junction, CO | 131 mi north-northwest | 14,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABX Albuquerque, NM | 150 mi south-southeast | 18,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KPUX Pueblo, CO | 205 mi east-northeast | 30,400 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 Bayfield
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 4 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bayfield. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F1 on October 5, 2004, which touched down about 14 miles west of town.
Hail: 26 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on September 22, 2013.
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 Bayfield'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.
Bayfield radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bayfield, CO?
KGJX (Grand Junction, CO), about 131 miles north-northwest. KABX (Albuquerque, NM) is 150 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bayfield?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bayfield the lowest scan from KGJX is about 14,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Bayfield 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 Bayfield, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Durango, CO radar 16 mi
- Pagosa Springs, CO radar 33 mi
- Mancos, CO radar 39 mi
- Telluride, CO radar 50 mi
- Mountain Village, CO radar 50 mi
- Cortez, CO radar 55 mi