Parachute, CO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Parachute, Garfield County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Parachute?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 46 days in the Debeque to Silt Corridor forecast zone and Garfield County — the most common reported hazard around Parachute, mostly in June and September. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (41 days) and debris flows (41 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 46 | Sep 2025 | Jun 26, 1996 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 41 | Nov 2024 | — |
| Debris flows | 41 | Aug 2024 | Sep 16, 2006 · 1 death · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 34 | May 2026 | Jun 17, 1998 · $500 damage |
| Flash flooding | 32 | Aug 2023 | Jul 23, 1997 · 1 death · $200,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 28 | Jul 2025 | Jun 24, 2023 · $4.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 14 | Aug 2023 | May 21, 2023 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Jan 2025 | — |
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 Debeque to Silt Corridor forecast zone and Garfield County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Parachute?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGJX (Grand Junction, CO), about 28 miles south-southwest. 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 Parachute | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGJX Grand Junction, CO | 28 mi south-southwest | 1,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KFTG Denver/Boulder, CO | 188 mi east | 26,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCYS Cheyenne, WY | 208 mi northeast | 31,100 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 Parachute
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Parachute. The strongest was an EF0 on May 19, 2009, which touched down about 23 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 10 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.25-inch hail on May 11, 2020.
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 Parachute'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.
Parachute radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Parachute, CO?
KGJX (Grand Junction, CO), about 28 miles south-southwest. KFTG (Denver/Boulder, CO) is 188 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Parachute?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Parachute the lowest scan from KGJX is about 1,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Parachute 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 Parachute, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Rifle, CO radar 16 mi
- Silt, CO radar 22 mi
- Palisade, CO radar 29 mi
- New Castle, CO radar 29 mi
- Grand Junction, CO radar 37 mi
- Glenwood Springs, CO radar 38 mi
- Cedaredge, CO radar 39 mi
- Fruita, CO radar 41 mi
- Meeker, CO radar 43 mi
- Orchard City, CO radar 44 mi