Mescalero, NM Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Mescalero, Otero County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Mescalero?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 66 days in the Sacramento Mountains Above 7500 Feet forecast zone and Otero County — the most common reported hazard around Mescalero, mostly in July and August. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (59 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 66 | Jul 2025 | Jun 22, 2006 · $1.3 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 59 | Jun 2026 | May 28, 2008 · $370,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 22 | Jan 2026 | Jan 24, 2026 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 21 | Apr 2026 | Mar 13, 2019 · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 1 | Jul 2009 | Jul 5, 2009 · $25,000 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 Sacramento Mountains Above 7500 Feet forecast zone and Otero County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Mescalero get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Mescalero, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mtn Park weather station 12.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (4.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 4.2 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 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 Mescalero?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHDX (Holloman AFB, NM), about 19 miles west-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 Mescalero | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHDX Holloman AFB, NM | 19 mi west-southwest | 1,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KEPZ El Paso, TX | 102 mi south-southwest | 9,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KABX Albuquerque, NM | 151 mi north-northwest | 18,400 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 Mescalero
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 13 tornadoes within 25 miles of Mescalero, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F2 on May 27, 1982, which touched down about 19 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 9, 2024, which touched down about 16 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 62 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 24, 1999.
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 Mescalero'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.
Mescalero radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Mescalero, NM?
KHDX (Holloman AFB, NM), about 19 miles west-southwest. KEPZ (El Paso, TX) is 102 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Mescalero?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Mescalero the lowest scan from KHDX is about 1,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Mescalero 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 Mescalero, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Tularosa, NM radar 13 mi
- Ruidoso, NM radar 17 mi
- Ruidoso Downs, NM radar 18 mi
- Alamogordo, NM radar 20 mi
- Capitan, NM radar 30 mi