Howard, CO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Howard, Fremont County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Howard?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 67 days in the Western/Central Fremont County Below 8500 Ft forecast zone and Fremont County — the most common reported hazard around Howard, mostly in March and December. Next come flash flooding (43 days) and high winds (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 67 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 43 | Jul 2025 | Jul 5, 2006 · $2.0 million damage |
| High winds | 22 | Nov 2020 | Apr 11, 2001 · $100,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 11 | Aug 2024 | — |
| Flooding | 8 | Jun 2024 | Aug 6, 1997 · 2 deaths |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Jul 2019 | Jul 3, 2008 · $150,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Jan 1997 | — |
| Wildfires | 5 | Aug 2016 | Jun 2, 2002 · $5.0 million 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 Western/Central Fremont County Below 8500 Ft forecast zone and Fremont County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Howard get?
A normal year brings about 37 inches of snow to Howard, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Salida weather station 12.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually April (8.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.6 | 4.1 | 4.7 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 6.5 | 8.0 | 2.7 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Howard?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPUX (Pueblo, CO), about 90 miles east. 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 Howard | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPUX Pueblo, CO | 90 mi east | 8,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFTG Denver/Boulder, CO | 118 mi northeast | 12,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGJX Grand Junction, CO | 136 mi west-northwest | 15,400 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 Howard
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 2 tornadoes within 25 miles of Howard. The strongest was an F0 on May 5, 1991, which touched down about 12 miles northwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 9, 2024, which touched down about 18 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 20 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on August 1, 1996.
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 Howard'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.
Howard radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Howard, CO?
KPUX (Pueblo, CO), about 90 miles east. KFTG (Denver/Boulder, CO) is 118 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Howard?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Howard the lowest scan from KPUX is about 8,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Howard 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 Howard, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Salida, CO radar 12 mi
- Poncha Springs, CO radar 15 mi
- Buena Vista, CO radar 33 mi
- Cañon City, CO radar 34 mi
- Florence, CO radar 40 mi
- Cripple Creek, CO radar 42 mi
- Center, CO radar 48 mi
- Del Norte, CO radar 58 mi
- Woodland Park, CO radar 59 mi
- Manitou Springs, CO radar 59 mi