Montrose, CO Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for MontroseWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Montrose?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 46 days in the Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin forecast zone and Montrose County — the most common reported hazard around Montrose, mostly in December and February. Next come high winds (35 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (20 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Heavy snow & winter storms46Mar 2024—
High winds35May 2026May 21, 2002 · $100,000 damage
Damaging thunderstorm winds20Jun 2024Jun 5, 2009 · $20,000 damage
Flash flooding19Oct 2022Jun 24, 2021 · $650,000 damage
Flooding15Aug 2023May 24, 2023 · $10,000 damage
Debris flows8Aug 2024Jul 24, 2021 · $5,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill7Jan 2025Dec 4, 2005 · $100,000 damage
Wildfires6Apr 2024Apr 14, 2024 · $65,000 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 Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin forecast zone and Montrose County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Montrose get?

A normal year brings about 22 inches of snow to Montrose, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Montrose #2 weather station 1.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (6.9 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.52.76.94.73.92.20.60.0

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

Which radars cover Montrose?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGJX (Grand Junction, CO), about 45 miles north-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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over MontroseView
KGJX
Grand Junction, CO		45 mi north-northwest3,100 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KPUX
Pueblo, CO		199 mi east29,000 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KFTG
Denver/Boulder, CO		200 mi east-northeast29,100 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 Montrose

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 4 tornadoes within 25 miles of Montrose. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an F1 on May 6, 2005, which touched down about 13 miles north-northwest of town.

Hail: 5 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on August 30, 2000.

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 Montrose'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.

Montrose radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Montrose, CO?

KGJX (Grand Junction, CO), about 45 miles north-northwest. KPUX (Pueblo, CO) is 199 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Montrose?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Montrose the lowest scan from KGJX is about 3,100 ft up.

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

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