La Bajada, NM Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for La Bajada, Santa Fe County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits La Bajada?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 77 days in the Santa Fe Metro Area forecast zone and Santa Fe County — the most common reported hazard around La Bajada, mostly in July and August. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (42 days) and high winds (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 77 | Jun 2026 | Jul 14, 2008 · 1 death · $25,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 42 | Jun 2026 | Dec 15, 2021 · $2.0 million damage |
| High winds | 22 | Apr 2026 | Feb 26, 2023 · $5,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 17 | Nov 2024 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 11 | Jul 2021 | Aug 7, 2016 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 4 | Aug 2015 | Sep 13, 2013 · $50,000 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 Santa Fe County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does La Bajada get?
A normal year brings about 8.2 inches of snow to La Bajada, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cochiti Dam weather station 7.7 miles away. 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 La Bajada?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABX (Albuquerque, NM), about 43 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 La Bajada | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABX Albuquerque, NM | 43 mi southwest | 2,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KFDX Cannon AFB, NM | 162 mi east-southeast | 20,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KHDX Holloman AFB, NM | 171 mi south | 22,600 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 La Bajada
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 14 tornadoes within 25 miles of La Bajada. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an F1 on April 15, 1971, which touched down about 16 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on July 13, 2021, which touched down about 19 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 82 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on July 10, 1961.
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 La Bajada'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.
La Bajada radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to La Bajada, NM?
KABX (Albuquerque, NM), about 43 miles southwest. KFDX (Cannon AFB, NM) is 162 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in La Bajada?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over La Bajada the lowest scan from KABX is about 2,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for La Bajada 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 La Bajada, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Bernalillo, NM radar 24 mi
- Edgewood, NM radar 29 mi
- Corrales, NM radar 31 mi
- Rio Rancho, NM radar 32 mi
- Pecos, NM radar 32 mi
- Española, NM radar 32 mi
- Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM radar 35 mi
- Albuquerque, NM radar 39 mi
- Moriarty, NM radar 40 mi