Columbine Valley, CO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Columbine Valley, Arapahoe County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Columbine Valley?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 104 days in the North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County forecast zone and Arapahoe County — the most common reported hazard around Columbine Valley, mostly in March and April. Next come high winds (92 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (68 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 104 | May 2026 | — |
| High winds | 92 | Dec 2025 | Dec 28, 1997 · $120,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 68 | Jun 2026 | Aug 28, 1999 · $20,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 31 | Jun 2023 | Jul 24, 2018 · 1 death · $500,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 28 | Sep 2019 | Aug 16, 2000 · $250,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 9 | Mar 2021 | Dec 20, 2006 · 2 deaths |
| Flooding | 8 | Aug 2025 | Sep 12, 2013 · $3.3 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Jan 2025 | Dec 18, 1998 · 3 deaths |
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 North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County forecast zone and Arapahoe County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Columbine Valley get?
A normal year brings about 34 inches of snow to Columbine Valley, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Marston Fltr Plt weather station 2.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (6.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.7 | 3.7 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 6.2 | 5.4 | 4.1 | 0.8 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Columbine Valley?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFTG (Denver/Boulder, CO), about 29 miles east-northeast. 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 Columbine Valley | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFTG Denver/Boulder, CO | 29 mi east-northeast | 1,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KPUX Pueblo, CO | 91 mi south-southeast | 8,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCYS Cheyenne, WY | 108 mi north | 10,800 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 Columbine Valley
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 159 tornadoes within 25 miles of Columbine Valley, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on June 15, 1988, which touched down about 10 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 14, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 1,340 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 95 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 5, 1983.
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 Columbine 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.
Columbine Valley radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Columbine Valley, CO?
KFTG (Denver/Boulder, CO), about 29 miles east-northeast. KPUX (Pueblo, CO) is 91 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Columbine Valley?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Columbine Valley the lowest scan from KFTG is about 1,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Columbine 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 Columbine Valley, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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