Valdez, CO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Valdez, Las Animas County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Valdez?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 79 days in the Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Ft forecast zone and Las Animas County — the most common reported hazard around Valdez, mostly in March and January. Next come high winds (78 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (25 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 79 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 78 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 25 | Jun 2025 | Oct 11, 1997 · $1,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 13 | Jul 2021 | Jul 25, 2010 · $20,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 5 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Wildfires | 5 | Jun 2011 | Jan 7, 2006 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 1 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Flooding | 1 | Jun 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 Trinidad Vicinity/Western Las Animas County Below 7500 Ft forecast zone and Las Animas County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Valdez get?
A normal year brings about 48 inches of snow to Valdez, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Trinidad Lake weather station 6.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | 4.4 | 8.7 | 9.4 | 8.7 | 6.9 | 5.6 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Valdez?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPUX (Pueblo, CO), about 96 miles north-northeast. 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 Valdez | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPUX Pueblo, CO | 96 mi north-northeast | 9,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KABX Albuquerque, NM | 182 mi southwest | 24,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFDX Cannon AFB, NM | 182 mi south-southeast | 25,000 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 Valdez
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 14 tornadoes within 25 miles of Valdez. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an EF1 on June 6, 2014, which passed about 15 miles east of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 30, 2021, which passed about 22 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 161 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on June 26, 2007.
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 Valdez'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.
Valdez radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Valdez, CO?
KPUX (Pueblo, CO), about 96 miles north-northeast. KABX (Albuquerque, NM) is 182 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Valdez?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Valdez the lowest scan from KPUX is about 9,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Valdez 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 Valdez, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Trinidad, CO radar 11 mi
- Walsenburg, CO radar 35 mi