Carlsbad, NM Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Carlsbad, Eddy County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Carlsbad?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 149 days in the Eddy County Plains forecast zone and Eddy County — the most common reported hazard around Carlsbad, mostly in March and February. Next come flash flooding (131 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (122 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 149 | Jun 2026 | Apr 6, 2001 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 131 | Jun 2026 | Sep 18, 2014 · 1 death · $40,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 122 | Jun 2026 | Aug 12, 2004 · $700,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 22 | Jan 2026 | Dec 22, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 11 | Sep 2025 | Sep 22, 2014 · $300,000 damage |
| Dust storms | 7 | Apr 2025 | Mar 18, 2025 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Feb 2011 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Dec 2014 | — |
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 Eddy County Plains forecast zone and Eddy County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Carlsbad get?
A normal year brings about 2.7 inches of snow to Carlsbad, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Carlsbad weather station 3.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (1.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 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 Carlsbad?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHDX (Holloman AFB, NM), about 119 miles west-northwest. 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 Carlsbad | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHDX Holloman AFB, NM | 119 mi west-northwest | 12,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMAF Midland/Odessa, TX | 124 mi east-southeast | 13,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KEPZ El Paso, TX | 148 mi west-southwest | 17,800 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 Carlsbad
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 35 tornadoes within 25 miles of Carlsbad, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an F2 on May 31, 1991, which touched down about 7 miles south of town. The most recent was an EF2 on March 12, 2019, which passed about 17 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 259 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 35 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on May 23, 2014.
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 Carlsbad'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.
Carlsbad radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Carlsbad, NM?
KHDX (Holloman AFB, NM), about 119 miles west-northwest. KMAF (Midland/Odessa, TX) is 124 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Carlsbad?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Carlsbad the lowest scan from KHDX is about 12,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Carlsbad 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 Carlsbad, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Loving, NM radar 12 mi
- Artesia, NM radar 33 mi
- Dexter, NM radar 55 mi