Cochiti Lake, NM Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cochiti Lake, Sandoval County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cochiti Lake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 69 days in the Santa Fe Metro Area forecast zone and Sandoval County — the most common reported hazard around Cochiti Lake, mostly in July and August. Next come high winds (22 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 69 | Sep 2025 | Jul 3, 2025 · 1 death |
| High winds | 22 | Apr 2026 | Feb 26, 2023 · $5,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 20 | Jun 2026 | Dec 1, 2007 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 17 | Nov 2024 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Aug 2019 | Jul 4, 2009 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 3 | Apr 2023 | Apr 12, 2023 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 2 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Dust storms | 2 | Mar 2025 | Apr 22, 2022 · $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 Santa Fe Metro Area forecast zone and Sandoval County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Cochiti Lake get?
A normal year brings about 8.2 inches of snow to Cochiti Lake, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cochiti Dam weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (2.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 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 Cochiti Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABX (Albuquerque, 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 Cochiti Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABX Albuquerque, NM | 44 mi southwest | 3,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KFDX Cannon AFB, NM | 169 mi east-southeast | 22,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KHDX Holloman AFB, NM | 178 mi south | 24,100 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 Cochiti Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 12 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cochiti Lake. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F1 on April 15, 1971, which touched down about 20 miles east of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 11, 2024, which touched down about 18 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 78 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on June 17, 1969.
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 Cochiti Lake'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.
Cochiti Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cochiti Lake, NM?
KABX (Albuquerque, NM), about 44 miles southwest. KFDX (Cannon AFB, NM) is 169 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cochiti Lake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cochiti Lake the lowest scan from KABX is about 3,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Cochiti Lake 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 Cochiti Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Santa Fe, NM radar 20 mi
- Bernalillo, NM radar 26 mi
- Española, NM radar 29 mi
- Rio Rancho, NM radar 32 mi
- Corrales, NM radar 32 mi
- Edgewood, NM radar 36 mi
- Pecos, NM radar 38 mi
- Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM radar 38 mi
- Albuquerque, NM radar 41 mi
- Moriarty, NM radar 48 mi