Monte Vista, CO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Monte Vista, Rio Grande County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Monte Vista?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 107 days in the Alamosa Vicinity/Central San Luis Valley Below 8500 Ft forecast zone and Rio Grande County — the most common reported hazard around Monte Vista, mostly in March and April. Next come high winds (54 days) and wildfires (5 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 107 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 54 | May 2026 | Dec 5, 1996 · $50,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 5 | Mar 2011 | Jul 1, 2002 · $11 million damage |
| Flooding | 2 | May 1999 | Apr 30, 1999 · $25,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 2 | Aug 2003 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 1 | Jan 1996 | — |
| Blizzards | 1 | Oct 1997 | Oct 24, 1997 · $50,000 damage |
| Dust storms | 1 | Mar 2026 | — |
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 Alamosa Vicinity/Central San Luis Valley Below 8500 Ft forecast zone and Rio Grande County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Monte Vista get?
A normal year brings about 35 inches of snow to Monte Vista, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Monte Vista 2W weather station 2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually March (6.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8 | 3.9 | 5.7 | 6.0 | 4.5 | 6.5 | 4.8 | 1.2 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Monte Vista?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPUX (Pueblo, CO), about 123 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 Monte Vista | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPUX Pueblo, CO | 123 mi east-northeast | 13,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGJX Grand Junction, CO | 152 mi northwest | 18,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABX Albuquerque, NM | 172 mi south-southwest | 22,700 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 Monte Vista
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 19 tornadoes within 25 miles of Monte Vista, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F2 on July 10, 1955, which touched down about 18 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 31, 2021, which passed about 25 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 27 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on August 16, 2008.
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 Monte Vista'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.
Monte Vista radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Monte Vista, CO?
KPUX (Pueblo, CO), about 123 miles east-northeast. KGJX (Grand Junction, CO) is 152 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Monte Vista?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Monte Vista the lowest scan from KPUX is about 13,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Monte Vista 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 Monte Vista, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Center, CO radar 12 mi
- Del Norte, CO radar 13 mi
- Alamosa, CO radar 17 mi
- Pagosa Springs, CO radar 52 mi