Poncha Springs, CO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Poncha Springs, Chaffee County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Poncha Springs?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 71 days in the Central Chaffee County Below 9000 Ft forecast zone and Chaffee County — the most common reported hazard around Poncha Springs, mostly in March and April. Next come high winds (19 days) and flash flooding (16 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 71 | May 2026 | — |
| High winds | 19 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Aug 2022 | Aug 2, 2007 · $2.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Jul 2015 | Jul 17, 2015 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 3 | Jul 2023 | — |
| Debris flows | 2 | Aug 2022 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 1 | Dec 1996 | — |
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 Chaffee County Below 9000 Ft forecast zone and Chaffee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Poncha Springs get?
A normal year brings about 37 inches of snow to Poncha Springs, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Salida weather station 3.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually April (8.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.6 | 4.1 | 4.7 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 6.5 | 8.0 | 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 Poncha Springs?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPUX (Pueblo, CO), about 102 miles east. 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 Poncha Springs | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPUX Pueblo, CO | 102 mi east | 10,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFTG Denver/Boulder, CO | 120 mi northeast | 12,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGJX Grand Junction, CO | 121 mi west-northwest | 12,900 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 Poncha Springs
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 2 tornadoes within 25 miles of Poncha Springs. The strongest was an F0 on May 5, 1991, which touched down about 4 miles east of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 9, 2024, which touched down about 23 miles south of town.
Hail: 10 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 Poncha Springs'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.
Poncha Springs radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Poncha Springs, CO?
KPUX (Pueblo, CO), about 102 miles east. KFTG (Denver/Boulder, CO) is 120 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Poncha Springs?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Poncha Springs the lowest scan from KPUX is about 10,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Poncha Springs 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 Poncha Springs, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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