Taos, MO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Taos, Cole County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Taos?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 69 days in the Cole forecast zone and Cole County — the most common reported hazard around Taos, mostly in July and May. Next come excessive heat (52 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 69 | Jun 2026 | Aug 7, 1999 · $1.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 52 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 39 | Jan 2025 | Dec 1, 2006 · $244,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 25 | Jun 2021 | Aug 1, 2016 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 14 | Jun 2026 | Jun 8, 2026 · $20,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | Jun 2018 | Jul 12, 2011 · $20,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2022 | Jan 12, 2007 · $34,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Jan 2024 | — |
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 Cole forecast zone and Cole County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Taos get?
A normal year brings about 8.9 inches of snow to Taos, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Jefferson City Wtp weather station 7.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.2 | 2.5 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Taos?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLSX (St. Louis, MO), about 77 miles east. 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 Taos | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 77 mi east | 6,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KSGF Springfield, MO | 113 mi southwest | 11,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 119 mi west | 12,600 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 Taos
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 51 tornadoes within 25 miles of Taos, 8 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and March. The strongest was an EF3 on May 22, 2019, which passed about 6 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF2 on April 20, 2025, which touched down about 16 miles north of town.
Hail: 282 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on March 27, 2020.
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 Taos'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.
Taos radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Taos, MO?
KLSX (St. Louis, MO), about 77 miles east. KSGF (Springfield, MO) is 113 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Taos?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Taos the lowest scan from KLSX is about 6,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Taos 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 Taos, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Wardsville, MO radar 5 mi
- Jefferson City, MO radar 6 mi
- Holts Summit, MO radar 10 mi
- Linn, MO radar 13 mi
- St. Martins, MO radar 15 mi
- Ashland, MO radar 23 mi
- Belle, MO radar 25 mi
- Fulton, MO radar 26 mi
- California, MO radar 27 mi
- Eldon, MO radar 28 mi