Black Hat, NM Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Black Hat, McKinley County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Black Hat?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 42 days in the West Central Plateau forecast zone and McKinley County — the most common reported hazard around Black Hat, mostly in July and August. Next come high winds (32 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 42 | Sep 2025 | Jul 11, 2008 · 3 deaths · $40,000 damage |
| High winds | 32 | Jun 2026 | Apr 22, 2022 · $25,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 19 | Jun 2026 | Dec 15, 2021 · $150,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 7 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 2 | Jan 2025 | Dec 27, 1997 · 1 death |
| Dust storms | 1 | Apr 2022 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Aug 1997 | — |
| Flooding | 1 | Sep 2013 | Sep 13, 2013 · $100,000 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 West Central Plateau forecast zone and McKinley County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Black Hat get?
A normal year brings about 34 inches of snow to Black Hat, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Gallup Muni Ap weather station 12.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (7.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | 4.5 | 7.8 | 6.3 | 5.9 | 4.4 | 2.3 | 1.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Black Hat?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABX (Albuquerque, NM), about 125 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 Black Hat | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABX Albuquerque, NM | 125 mi east-southeast | 13,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSX Flagstaff, AZ | 146 mi west-southwest | 17,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KIWA Phoenix, AZ | 224 mi southwest | 35,300 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 Black Hat
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Black Hat.
Hail: 4 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on September 1, 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 Black Hat'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.
Black Hat radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Black Hat, NM?
KABX (Albuquerque, NM), about 125 miles east-southeast. KFSX (Flagstaff, AZ) is 146 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Black Hat?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Black Hat the lowest scan from KABX is about 13,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Black Hat 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 Black Hat, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Gallup, NM radar 15 mi