Ward, CO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ward, Boulder County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ward?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 203 days in the South and Southeast Grand/West Central and Southwest Boulder/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West Park Counties Above 9000 Feet forecast zone and Boulder County — the most common reported hazard around Ward, mostly in April and December. Next come high winds (81 days) and avalanches (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 203 | May 2026 | — |
| High winds | 81 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Avalanches | 32 | Feb 2025 | Apr 20, 2013 · 5 deaths |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 28 | Jul 2024 | Jun 15, 2009 · $20,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 28 | Jul 2019 | Jul 14, 2019 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jul 2021 | Sep 11, 2013 · 3 deaths |
| Blizzards | 4 | Jan 2012 | — |
| Flooding | 4 | May 2015 | Sep 12, 2013 · $297 million 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 South and Southeast Grand/West Central and Southwest Boulder/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West Park Counties Above 9000 Feet forecast zone and Boulder County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ward get?
A normal year brings about 184 inches of snow to Ward, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ward 4.6 Ne weather station 4.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually April (34.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18.1 | 13.5 | 24.6 | 15.8 | 28.0 | 29.9 | 34.9 | 17.9 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Ward?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFTG (Denver/Boulder, CO), about 55 miles east-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 Ward | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFTG Denver/Boulder, CO | 55 mi east-southeast | 4,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCYS Cheyenne, WY | 83 mi north-northeast | 7,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KPUX Pueblo, CO | 132 mi south-southeast | 14,900 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 Ward
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 15 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ward, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF3 on June 4, 2015, which passed about 21 miles northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 18, 2018, which touched down about 18 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 285 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 29 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 18, 2018.
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 Ward'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.
Ward radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ward, CO?
KFTG (Denver/Boulder, CO), about 55 miles east-southeast. KCYS (Cheyenne, WY) is 83 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ward?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ward the lowest scan from KFTG is about 4,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ward 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 Ward, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Nederland, CO radar 8 mi
- Boulder, CO radar 14 mi
- Lyons, CO radar 17 mi
- Fraser, CO radar 19 mi
- Winter Park, CO radar 20 mi
- Estes Park, CO radar 20 mi
- Louisville, CO radar 21 mi
- Superior, CO radar 21 mi
- Granby, CO radar 21 mi
- Idaho Springs, CO radar 22 mi