Pinon, NM Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Pinon, Otero County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Pinon?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 66 days in the Otero Mesa forecast zone and Otero County — the most common reported hazard around Pinon, mostly in July and August. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (59 days) and high winds (6 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 |
| High winds | 6 | Mar 2026 | — |
| 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 Otero Mesa forecast zone and Otero County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Pinon?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHDX (Holloman AFB, NM), about 53 miles northwest. 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 Pinon | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHDX Holloman AFB, NM | 53 mi northwest | 3,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KEPZ El Paso, TX | 93 mi west-southwest | 8,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFDX Cannon AFB, NM | 172 mi northeast | 22,700 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 Pinon
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Pinon. The strongest was an F0 on August 5, 1981, which touched down about 15 miles north of town.
Hail: 34 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on June 4, 2019.
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 Pinon'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.
Pinon radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Pinon, NM?
KHDX (Holloman AFB, NM), about 53 miles northwest. KEPZ (El Paso, TX) is 93 miles away and also covers the area.
How often does Pinon flood?
Since 1996 the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 66 days in the Otero Mesa forecast zone and Otero County. TALON's free flash-flood risk layer shows, every 2 minutes, how close the rain that has fallen is to what it takes to flood — turn it on under Layers.
Is TALON's radar for Pinon 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 Pinon, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Alamogordo, NM radar 39 mi
- Tularosa, NM radar 49 mi
- Ruidoso Downs, NM radar 51 mi
- Ruidoso, NM radar 53 mi
- Artesia, NM radar 58 mi