Chaparral, NM Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Chaparral, Dona Ana County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Chaparral?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 76 days in the West Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands forecast zone and Dona Ana County — the most common reported hazard around Chaparral, mostly in July and August. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (69 days) and high winds (16 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 76 | Jun 2026 | Aug 15, 2006 · $4.5 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 69 | Jun 2026 | Aug 23, 2020 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 16 | Apr 2026 | Mar 14, 2025 · $20,000 damage |
| Flooding | 7 | Jan 2017 | Sep 4, 2006 · $50,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 1 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Dust storms | 1 | Apr 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Aug 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 West Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands forecast zone and Dona Ana County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Chaparral?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEPZ (El Paso, TX), about 21 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 Chaparral | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEPZ El Paso, TX | 21 mi southwest | 1,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KHDX Holloman AFB, NM | 73 mi north-northeast | 6,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KABX Albuquerque, NM | 216 mi north | 33,300 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 Chaparral
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 9 tornadoes within 25 miles of Chaparral. Most came in July and September. The strongest was an F1 on July 31, 1979, which touched down about 12 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on July 13, 2011, which touched down about 24 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 97 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.25-inch hail on October 22, 1974.
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 Chaparral'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.
Chaparral radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Chaparral, NM?
KEPZ (El Paso, TX), about 21 miles southwest. KHDX (Holloman AFB, NM) is 73 miles away and also covers the area.
How often does Chaparral flood?
Since 1996 the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 76 days in the West Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands forecast zone and Dona Ana County. TALON's free flash-flood risk layer shows, every 2 minutes, how close the rain that has fallen is to what it takes to flood — turn it on under Layers.
Is TALON's radar for Chaparral 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 Chaparral, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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