Pitkin, CO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Pitkin, Gunnison County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Pitkin?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 339 days in the West Elk and Sawatch Mountains forecast zone and Gunnison County — the most common reported hazard around Pitkin, mostly in February and January. Next come avalanches (25 days) and high winds (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 339 | Apr 2026 | Sep 8, 2020 · $15,000 damage |
| Avalanches | 25 | Apr 2025 | Feb 6, 1999 · 3 deaths |
| High winds | 22 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Debris flows | 16 | Aug 2024 | Apr 19, 2007 · $50,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 12 | Dec 2023 | Jul 26, 2023 · $2.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 10 | Aug 2023 | Jun 21, 2019 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Jul 2020 | Jul 28, 1996 · $35,000 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 West Elk and Sawatch Mountains forecast zone and Gunnison County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Pitkin get?
A normal year brings about 105 inches of snow to Pitkin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sargents weather station 15 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (21.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 | 11.8 | 19.6 | 21.5 | 19.0 | 14.6 | 12.1 | 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 Pitkin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGJX (Grand Junction, CO), about 97 miles west-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 Pitkin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGJX Grand Junction, CO | 97 mi west-northwest | 9,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KPUX Pueblo, CO | 127 mi east | 13,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFTG Denver/Boulder, CO | 133 mi northeast | 15,000 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 Pitkin
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Pitkin since 1950.
Hail: 5 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on June 5, 2016.
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 Pitkin'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.
Pitkin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Pitkin, CO?
KGJX (Grand Junction, CO), about 97 miles west-northwest. KPUX (Pueblo, CO) is 127 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Pitkin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Pitkin the lowest scan from KGJX is about 9,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Pitkin 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 Pitkin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Gunnison, CO radar 23 mi
- Poncha Springs, CO radar 25 mi
- Buena Vista, CO radar 25 mi
- Salida, CO radar 28 mi
- Crested Butte, CO radar 31 mi
- Aspen, CO radar 44 mi
- Leadville, CO radar 46 mi
- Snowmass Village, CO radar 48 mi
- Basalt, CO radar 60 mi
- Paonia, CO radar 61 mi