Highland Meadows, NM Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Highland Meadows, Valencia County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Highland Meadows?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 25 days in the West Central Highlands forecast zone and Valencia County — the most common reported hazard around Highland Meadows, mostly in July and May. Next come flash flooding (16 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (7 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 25 | Aug 2025 | May 24, 1999 · $1.2 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Jul 2025 | Sep 29, 2017 · $7.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 7 | Apr 2025 | — |
| High winds | 7 | Apr 2025 | — |
| Wildfires | 4 | Aug 2025 | Apr 27, 2025 · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 4 | Sep 2013 | Sep 13, 2013 · $200,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 1 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Jul 2013 | Jul 24, 2013 · $500 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 Highlands forecast zone and Valencia County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Highland Meadows?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABX (Albuquerque, NM), about 24 miles northeast. 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 Highland Meadows | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABX Albuquerque, NM | 24 mi northeast | 1,400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KHDX Holloman AFB, NM | 142 mi south-southeast | 16,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFDX Cannon AFB, NM | 202 mi east | 29,800 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 Highland Meadows
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 6 tornadoes within 25 miles of Highland Meadows, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and May. The strongest was an F2 on October 10, 1974, which touched down about 14 miles north-northeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on June 3, 2018, which touched down about 24 miles west of town.
Hail: 11 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on June 20, 1993.
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 Highland Meadows'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.
Highland Meadows radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Highland Meadows, NM?
KABX (Albuquerque, NM), about 24 miles northeast. KHDX (Holloman AFB, NM) is 142 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Highland Meadows?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Highland Meadows the lowest scan from KABX is about 1,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Highland Meadows 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 Highland Meadows, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Los Lunas, NM radar 23 mi
- Belen, NM radar 24 mi
- Bosque Farms, NM radar 27 mi
- Peralta, NM radar 28 mi
- Albuquerque, NM radar 32 mi
- Rio Communities, NM radar 33 mi
- Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM radar 33 mi
- Rio Rancho, NM radar 36 mi
- Corrales, NM radar 37 mi
- Grants, NM radar 41 mi