Purty Rock, NM Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Purty Rock, McKinley County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Purty Rock?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 42 days in the West Central Plateau forecast zone and McKinley County — the most common reported hazard around Purty Rock, mostly in July and August. Next come high winds (32 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 42 | Sep 2025 | Jul 11, 2008 · 3 deaths · $40,000 damage |
| High winds | 32 | Jun 2026 | Apr 22, 2022 · $25,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 19 | Jun 2026 | Dec 15, 2021 · $150,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 7 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 2 | Jan 2025 | Dec 27, 1997 · 1 death |
| Dust storms | 1 | Apr 2022 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Aug 1997 | — |
| Flooding | 1 | Sep 2013 | Sep 13, 2013 · $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 West Central Plateau forecast zone and McKinley County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Purty Rock get?
A normal year brings about 34 inches of snow to Purty Rock, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Gallup Muni Ap weather station 5.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (7.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | 4.5 | 7.8 | 6.3 | 5.9 | 4.4 | 2.3 | 1.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Purty Rock?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABX (Albuquerque, NM), about 119 miles east. 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 Purty Rock | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABX Albuquerque, NM | 119 mi east | 12,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSX Flagstaff, AZ | 145 mi west-southwest | 17,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KIWA Phoenix, AZ | 220 mi southwest | 34,200 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 Purty Rock
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Purty Rock.
Hail: 3 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on September 1, 2018.
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 Purty Rock'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.
Purty Rock radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Purty Rock, NM?
KABX (Albuquerque, NM), about 119 miles east. KFSX (Flagstaff, AZ) is 145 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Purty Rock?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Purty Rock the lowest scan from KABX is about 12,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Purty Rock 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 Purty Rock, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Gallup, NM radar 9 mi
- Milan, NM radar 60 mi