Capitan, NM Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Capitan, Lincoln County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Capitan?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 101 days in the South Central Mountains forecast zone and Lincoln County — the most common reported hazard around Capitan, mostly in July and August. Next come high winds (69 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 101 | Jun 2026 | May 30, 2021 · 1 death · $60,000 damage |
| High winds | 69 | May 2026 | Oct 12, 2021 · $50,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 29 | Sep 2025 | Dec 23, 2023 · $10,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 14 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Wildfires | 10 | May 2026 | Jun 17, 2024 · 2 deaths · $23 million damage |
| Debris flows | 10 | Sep 2025 | Jul 8, 2025 · 3 deaths · $50 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | May 2015 | May 15, 2015 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 3 | Jun 2021 | Jul 26, 2008 · 1 death · $25 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 Central Mountains forecast zone and Lincoln County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Capitan get?
A normal year brings about 27 inches of snow to Capitan, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Capitan weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (8.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 1.4 | 8.7 | 6.1 | 3.6 | 5.3 | 1.1 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Capitan?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHDX (Holloman AFB, NM), about 44 miles southwest. 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 Capitan | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHDX Holloman AFB, NM | 44 mi southwest | 3,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KABX Albuquerque, NM | 131 mi north-northwest | 14,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KEPZ El Paso, TX | 132 mi south-southwest | 14,700 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 Capitan
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 12 tornadoes within 25 miles of Capitan. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F1 on June 17, 1972, which passed about 5 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 9, 2024, which touched down about 14 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 52 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on June 7, 2013.
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 Capitan'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.
Capitan radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Capitan, NM?
KHDX (Holloman AFB, NM), about 44 miles southwest. KABX (Albuquerque, NM) is 131 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Capitan?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Capitan the lowest scan from KHDX is about 3,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Capitan 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 Capitan, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Ruidoso, NM radar 14 mi
- Ruidoso Downs, NM radar 14 mi
- Tularosa, NM radar 40 mi
- Alamogordo, NM radar 50 mi