Swink, CO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Swink, Otero County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Swink?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 65 days in the La Junta Vicinity/Otero County forecast zone and Otero County — the most common reported hazard around Swink, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (64 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (25 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 65 | Oct 2024 | Jun 12, 2016 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| High winds | 64 | Mar 2026 | Dec 15, 2021 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 25 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 24 | Jul 2024 | Jun 26, 2007 · $50,000 damage |
| Flooding | 10 | Jul 2024 | Jun 12, 2024 · 1 death |
| Wildfires | 7 | Jul 2011 | Apr 1, 2010 · $30,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 5 | Aug 2007 | Sep 8, 2005 · 1 death |
| Blizzards | 4 | Dec 2011 | — |
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 La Junta Vicinity/Otero County forecast zone and Otero County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Swink get?
A normal year brings about 25 inches of snow to Swink, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rocky Ford 2 Se weather station 4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually March (4.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | 3.3 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 3.8 | 4.7 | 1.8 | 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 Swink?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPUX (Pueblo, CO), about 43 miles 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 Swink | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPUX Pueblo, CO | 43 mi northwest | 2,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KFTG Denver/Boulder, CO | 132 mi north-northwest | 14,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGLD Goodland, KS | 140 mi northeast | 16,200 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 Swink
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 62 tornadoes within 25 miles of Swink, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on October 20, 1953, which passed about 21 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on July 6, 2022, which passed about 9 miles east of town.
Hail: 248 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 37 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on October 11, 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 Swink'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.
Swink radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Swink, CO?
KPUX (Pueblo, CO), about 43 miles northwest. KFTG (Denver/Boulder, CO) is 132 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Swink?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Swink the lowest scan from KPUX is about 2,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Swink 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 Swink, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- La Junta, CO radar 5 mi
- Rocky Ford, CO radar 6 mi
- Ordway, CO radar 16 mi
- Las Animas, CO radar 22 mi
- Fowler, CO radar 23 mi
- Lamar, CO radar 55 mi
- Pueblo, CO radar 56 mi