Rangely, CO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rangely, Rio Blanco County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rangely?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged wildfire on 48 days in the Lower Yampa River Basin forecast zone and Rio Blanco County — the most common reported hazard around Rangely, mostly in July and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (37 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (33 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildfires | 48 | Aug 2025 | Jul 1, 2021 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 37 | Apr 2023 | Sep 8, 2020 · $30,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 33 | Sep 2025 | Sep 20, 1997 · $150,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 25 | Aug 2025 | Jul 26, 2019 · $200,000 damage |
| High winds | 22 | May 2024 | Apr 20, 2001 · $1,000 damage |
| Debris flows | 19 | Oct 2025 | Sep 22, 2025 · $30,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 5 | Jan 2010 | — |
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 Lower Yampa River Basin forecast zone and Rio Blanco County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rangely get?
A normal year brings about 30 inches of snow to Rangely, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rangely 1E weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (8.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6 | 3.3 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 5.6 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Rangely?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGJX (Grand Junction, CO), about 77 miles south-southeast. 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 Rangely | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGJX Grand Junction, CO | 77 mi south-southeast | 6,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRIW Riverton, WY | 206 mi north | 30,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMTX Salt Lake City, UT | 209 mi west-northwest | 31,400 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 Rangely
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 3 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rangely. Most came in August and July. The strongest was an F1 on August 26, 2006, which passed about 10 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on August 15, 2009, which touched down about 12 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 8 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on September 20, 1997.
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 Rangely'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.
Rangely radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rangely, CO?
KGJX (Grand Junction, CO), about 77 miles south-southeast. KRIW (Riverton, WY) is 206 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rangely?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rangely the lowest scan from KGJX is about 6,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Rangely 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 Rangely, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Meeker, CO radar 47 mi
- Parachute, CO radar 59 mi