Cortez, CO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cortez, Montezuma County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cortez?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 76 days in the Four Corners/Upper Dolores River forecast zone and Montezuma County — the most common reported hazard around Cortez, mostly in February and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (27 days) and wildfires (25 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 76 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 27 | Sep 2025 | Oct 3, 2013 · $225,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 25 | Sep 2025 | Aug 1, 2002 · $300,000 damage |
| High winds | 18 | Feb 2026 | Jun 17, 1998 · $200,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 13 | May 2017 | Jul 16, 1997 · $150,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Jan 2025 | Jun 14, 2001 · $250,000 damage |
| Flooding | 9 | Aug 2023 | Apr 9, 2023 · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 8 | Sep 2013 | Sep 29, 2005 · $250,000 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 Four Corners/Upper Dolores River forecast zone and Montezuma County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Cortez get?
A normal year brings about 33 inches of snow to Cortez, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cortez weather station 1.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6 | 2.7 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 7.2 | 5.0 | 2.2 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Cortez?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGJX (Grand Junction, CO), about 120 miles north. 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 Cortez | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGJX Grand Junction, CO | 120 mi north | 12,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABX Albuquerque, NM | 181 mi south-southeast | 24,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KICX Cedar City, UT | 236 mi west | 38,600 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 Cortez
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 3 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cortez, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and April. The strongest was an F2 on April 25, 1985, which touched down near town. The most recent was an EF0 on July 18, 2011, which touched down about 11 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 17 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on May 22, 1992.
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 Cortez'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.
Cortez radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cortez, CO?
KGJX (Grand Junction, CO), about 120 miles north. KABX (Albuquerque, NM) is 181 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cortez?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cortez the lowest scan from KGJX is about 12,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Cortez 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 Cortez, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Mancos, CO radar 16 mi
- Durango, CO radar 39 mi
- Bayfield, CO radar 55 mi
- Mountain Village, CO radar 56 mi
- Telluride, CO radar 58 mi