Rico, CO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rico, Dolores County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rico?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 339 days in the Southwest San Juan Mountains forecast zone and Dolores County — the most common reported hazard around Rico, mostly in February and January. Next come wildfires (48 days) and avalanches (47 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 339 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Wildfires | 48 | Oct 2025 | May 14, 2024 · $3.0 million damage |
| Avalanches | 47 | Feb 2025 | Feb 25, 2023 · 2 deaths |
| High winds | 12 | May 2022 | Oct 11, 1997 · $1,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 9 | Mar 2015 | Dec 1, 2007 · $10,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 4 | May 2023 | Apr 12, 2023 · $25,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 4 | Sep 2025 | Sep 7, 2002 · $25,000 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 Southwest San Juan Mountains forecast zone and Dolores County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Rico?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGJX (Grand Junction, CO), about 95 miles north. 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 Rico | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGJX Grand Junction, CO | 95 mi north | 8,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KABX Albuquerque, NM | 188 mi south-southeast | 26,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KPUX Pueblo, CO | 216 mi east-northeast | 33,300 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 Rico
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Rico since 1950.
Hail: 7 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on June 5, 1967.
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 Rico'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.
Rico radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rico, CO?
KGJX (Grand Junction, CO), about 95 miles north. KABX (Albuquerque, NM) is 188 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rico?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rico the lowest scan from KGJX is about 8,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Rico 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 Rico, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Mountain Village, CO radar 19 mi
- Telluride, CO radar 21 mi
- Mancos, CO radar 28 mi
- Durango, CO radar 31 mi
- Ridgway, CO radar 36 mi
- Cortez, CO radar 38 mi
- Bayfield, CO radar 40 mi
- Montrose, CO radar 55 mi