Westcliffe, CO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Westcliffe, Custer County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Westcliffe?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 98 days in the Wet Mountain Valley Below 8500 Ft forecast zone and Custer County — the most common reported hazard around Westcliffe, mostly in March and April. Next come high winds (33 days) and flash flooding (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 98 | May 2026 | Mar 14, 1996 · $600,000 damage |
| High winds | 33 | Dec 2025 | Apr 11, 2001 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 19 | Jul 2021 | Jul 27, 2003 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Jan 1997 | — |
| Wildfires | 4 | Jun 2011 | Apr 30, 2002 · $100,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 4 | Oct 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 2 | Apr 2005 | Oct 24, 1997 · $400,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Aug 2011 | Aug 31, 2011 · 1 death |
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 Wet Mountain Valley Below 8500 Ft forecast zone and Custer County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Westcliffe get?
A normal year brings about 84 inches of snow to Westcliffe, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Westcliffe weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually April (19.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.4 | 8.5 | 8.8 | 8.4 | 10.4 | 15.0 | 19.6 | 4.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Westcliffe?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPUX (Pueblo, CO), about 73 miles east-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 Westcliffe | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPUX Pueblo, CO | 73 mi east-northeast | 6,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFTG Denver/Boulder, CO | 124 mi north-northeast | 13,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGJX Grand Junction, CO | 162 mi west-northwest | 20,500 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 Westcliffe
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 12 tornadoes within 25 miles of Westcliffe, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F2 on July 4, 1960, which touched down about 7 miles south of town. The most recent was an EF0 on July 30, 2025, which touched down about 7 miles south of town.
Hail: 72 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 5 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on August 1, 1996.
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 Westcliffe'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.
Westcliffe radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Westcliffe, CO?
KPUX (Pueblo, CO), about 73 miles east-northeast. KFTG (Denver/Boulder, CO) is 124 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Westcliffe?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Westcliffe the lowest scan from KPUX is about 6,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Westcliffe 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 Westcliffe, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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