Lake City, CO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lake City, Hinsdale County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lake City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 310 days in the Northwestern San Juan Mountains forecast zone and Hinsdale County — the most common reported hazard around Lake City, mostly in February and December. Next come avalanches (61 days) and debris flows (18 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 310 | Feb 2026 | Dec 3, 2013 · $5,000 damage |
| Avalanches | 61 | Feb 2026 | Feb 1, 2021 · 3 deaths |
| Debris flows | 18 | Aug 2024 | Jul 30, 2006 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| High winds | 14 | Feb 2026 | Sep 29, 2019 · $30,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 9 | Mar 2015 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Aug 2022 | Jul 17, 1996 · $30,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 5 | Nov 2019 | — |
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 Northwestern San Juan Mountains forecast zone and Hinsdale County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Lake City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGJX (Grand Junction, CO), about 87 miles northwest. 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 Lake City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGJX Grand Junction, CO | 87 mi northwest | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KPUX Pueblo, CO | 173 mi east | 22,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFTG Denver/Boulder, CO | 192 mi northeast | 27,400 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 Lake City
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Lake City since 1950.
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 Lake City'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.
Lake City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lake City, CO?
KGJX (Grand Junction, CO), about 87 miles northwest. KPUX (Pueblo, CO) is 173 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lake City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lake City the lowest scan from KGJX is about 7,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Lake City 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 Lake City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Mountain Village, CO radar 30 mi
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- Montrose, CO radar 43 mi
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- Pagosa Springs, CO radar 55 mi
- Bayfield, CO radar 57 mi
- Del Norte, CO radar 57 mi
- Paonia, CO radar 61 mi