La Cueva, NM Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for La Cueva, Sandoval County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits La Cueva?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 69 days in the Jemez Mountains forecast zone and Sandoval County — the most common reported hazard around La Cueva, mostly in July and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (32 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 |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 32 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 20 | Jun 2026 | Dec 1, 2007 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 12 | Mar 2026 | Dec 15, 2021 · $500,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 9 | Jun 2026 | Apr 22, 2022 · $10 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Aug 2019 | Jul 4, 2009 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 3 | Apr 2023 | Apr 12, 2023 · $1.0 million damage |
| Debris flows | 1 | Jun 2026 | Jun 26, 2026 · $50,000 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 Jemez Mountains forecast zone and Sandoval County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does La Cueva get?
A normal year brings about 23 inches of snow to La Cueva, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Jemez Springs weather station 6.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (6.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 2.6 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 2.7 | 3.5 | 1.6 | 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 Cueva?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABX (Albuquerque, NM), about 51 miles south-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 Cueva | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABX Albuquerque, NM | 51 mi south-southwest | 3,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KFDX Cannon AFB, NM | 191 mi east-southeast | 27,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KHDX Holloman AFB, NM | 195 mi south | 28,100 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 La Cueva
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 3 tornadoes within 25 miles of La Cueva. Most came in May. The strongest was an EF0 on May 21, 2018, which passed about 23 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 11, 2024, which touched down about 5 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 43 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 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 La Cueva'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 Cueva radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to La Cueva, NM?
KABX (Albuquerque, NM), about 51 miles south-southwest. KFDX (Cannon AFB, NM) is 191 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in La Cueva?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over La Cueva the lowest scan from KABX is about 3,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for La Cueva 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 Cueva, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Española, NM radar 34 mi
- Bernalillo, NM radar 39 mi
- Santa Fe, NM radar 40 mi
- Rio Rancho, NM radar 40 mi
- Corrales, NM radar 44 mi
- Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM radar 49 mi
- Albuquerque, NM radar 53 mi
- Edgewood, NM radar 56 mi
- Pecos, NM radar 58 mi