Fairplay, CO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fairplay, Park County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fairplay?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 203 days in the South and Southeast Grand/West Central and Southwest Boulder/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West Park Counties Above 9000 Feet forecast zone and Park County — the most common reported hazard around Fairplay, mostly in April and December. Next come high winds (81 days) and avalanches (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 203 | May 2026 | — |
| High winds | 81 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Avalanches | 32 | Feb 2025 | Apr 20, 2013 · 5 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Jul 2021 | Jul 16, 2018 · $15,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Jul 2018 | Aug 24, 2003 · 1 death |
| Blizzards | 4 | Jan 2012 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 3 | Jun 2020 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 2 | Jan 2025 | — |
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 South and Southeast Grand/West Central and Southwest Boulder/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West Park Counties Above 9000 Feet forecast zone and Park County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Fairplay get?
A normal year brings about 295 inches of snow to Fairplay, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Climax weather station 14.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually April (46.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22.4 | 33.9 | 38.5 | 44.5 | 40.5 | 42.5 | 46.6 | 18.9 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Fairplay?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFTG (Denver/Boulder, CO), about 87 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 Fairplay | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFTG Denver/Boulder, CO | 87 mi east-northeast | 7,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KPUX Pueblo, CO | 111 mi east-southeast | 11,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGJX Grand Junction, CO | 119 mi west | 12,600 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 Fairplay
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 4 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fairplay, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F2 on June 13, 1977, which touched down about 5 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 30, 2023, which touched down about 14 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 7 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on June 20, 2016.
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 Fairplay'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.
Fairplay radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fairplay, CO?
KFTG (Denver/Boulder, CO), about 87 miles east-northeast. KPUX (Pueblo, CO) is 111 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fairplay?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fairplay the lowest scan from KFTG is about 7,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Fairplay 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 Fairplay, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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