Continental Divide, NM Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Continental Divide, McKinley County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Continental Divide?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 42 days in the West Central Mountains forecast zone and McKinley County — the most common reported hazard around Continental Divide, mostly in July and August. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (19 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (13 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 42 | Sep 2025 | Jul 11, 2008 · 3 deaths · $40,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 19 | Jun 2026 | Dec 15, 2021 · $150,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 13 | Jan 2026 | Jan 4, 2024 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 8 | Apr 2025 | Mar 18, 2025 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 2 | Jan 2025 | Dec 27, 1997 · 1 death |
| 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 Mountains forecast zone and McKinley County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Continental Divide get?
A normal year brings about 42 inches of snow to Continental Divide, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mcgaffey 5 Se weather station 9.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (10.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 2.6 | 10.1 | 9.0 | 8.7 | 6.6 | 2.4 | 0.2 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Continental Divide?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABX (Albuquerque, NM), about 87 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 Continental Divide | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABX Albuquerque, NM | 87 mi east-southeast | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFSX Flagstaff, AZ | 173 mi west-southwest | 22,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KHDX Holloman AFB, NM | 206 mi southeast | 30,700 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 Continental Divide
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Continental Divide.
Hail: 1 report of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.00-inch hail on September 21, 1997.
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 Continental Divide'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.
Continental Divide radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Continental Divide, NM?
KABX (Albuquerque, NM), about 87 miles east-southeast. KFSX (Flagstaff, AZ) is 173 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Continental Divide?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Continental Divide the lowest scan from KABX is about 7,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Continental Divide 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 Continental Divide, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Gallup, NM radar 24 mi
- Milan, NM radar 30 mi
- Grants, NM radar 34 mi