Fruita, CO Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Fruita, Mesa County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for FruitaWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Fruita?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 81 days in the Grand Valley forecast zone and Mesa County — the most common reported hazard around Fruita, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (48 days) and high winds (39 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds81Sep 2025Jul 28, 2005 · $100,000 damage
Flash flooding48Sep 2025Aug 5, 1997 · $250,000 damage
High winds39Feb 2026May 11, 2022 · 1 death
Flooding29Aug 2023May 6, 2023 · 1 death
Heavy snow & winter storms26Feb 2023—
Debris flows19Aug 2025May 25, 2014 · 3 deaths · $25,000 damage
Wildfires17Jul 2024Jul 15, 2024 · $650,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage9Jul 2016Jul 17, 2013 · $60,000 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 Grand Valley forecast zone and Mesa County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Fruita get?

A normal year brings about 22 inches of snow to Fruita, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Colorado Nm weather station 3.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (6.2 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.62.85.46.23.92.10.70.1

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Fruita?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGJX (Grand Junction, CO), about 28 miles east-southeast. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over FruitaView
KGJX
Grand Junction, CO		28 mi east-southeast1,700 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KFTG
Denver/Boulder, CO		227 mi east-northeast36,300 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KMTX
Salt Lake City, UT		244 mi northwest41,100 ftLimited — 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 Fruita

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 8 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fruita. Most came in August and April. The strongest was an F0 on October 17, 2004, which passed about 7 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 19, 2009, which touched down about 22 miles east of town.

Hail: 27 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on June 6, 2025.

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 Fruita'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.

Fruita radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Fruita, CO?

KGJX (Grand Junction, CO), about 28 miles east-southeast. KFTG (Denver/Boulder, CO) is 227 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Fruita?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fruita the lowest scan from KGJX is about 1,700 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Fruita 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 Fruita, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

Radar for nearby towns

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