Ponderosa, NM Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ponderosa, Sandoval County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ponderosa?
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 Ponderosa, 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 Ponderosa get?
A normal year brings about 23 inches of snow to Ponderosa, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Jemez Springs weather station 8.7 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 Ponderosa?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABX (Albuquerque, NM), about 36 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 Ponderosa | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABX Albuquerque, NM | 36 mi south-southwest | 2,300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KHDX Holloman AFB, NM | 181 mi south | 24,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFDX Cannon AFB, NM | 185 mi east-southeast | 25,700 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 Ponderosa
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 8 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ponderosa. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an EF0 on May 21, 2018, which passed about 20 miles east of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 11, 2024, which touched down about 12 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 31 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 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 Ponderosa'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.
Ponderosa radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ponderosa, NM?
KABX (Albuquerque, NM), about 36 miles south-southwest. KHDX (Holloman AFB, NM) is 181 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ponderosa?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ponderosa the lowest scan from KABX is about 2,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ponderosa 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 Ponderosa, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Bernalillo, NM radar 24 mi
- Rio Rancho, NM radar 26 mi
- Corrales, NM radar 29 mi
- Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM radar 34 mi
- Santa Fe, NM radar 38 mi
- Albuquerque, NM radar 38 mi
- Española, NM radar 41 mi
- Edgewood, NM radar 44 mi
- Pecos, NM radar 55 mi
- Bosque Farms, NM radar 55 mi