San Mateo, NM Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for San Mateo, Cibola County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits San Mateo?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged flash flooding on 28 days in the West Central Mountains forecast zone and Cibola County — the most common reported hazard around San Mateo, mostly in August and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (13 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (10 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash flooding | 28 | Sep 2025 | Jul 4, 2015 · $250,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 13 | Jan 2026 | Jan 4, 2024 · $50,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 10 | May 2026 | Oct 2, 2003 · $2,000 damage |
| High winds | 8 | Apr 2025 | Mar 18, 2025 · $20,000 damage |
| Flooding | 2 | Sep 2013 | Sep 13, 2013 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 1 | Jan 2025 | — |
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 Mountains forecast zone and Cibola County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover San Mateo?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABX (Albuquerque, NM), about 48 miles east-southeast. 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 San Mateo | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABX Albuquerque, NM | 48 mi east-southeast | 3,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KHDX Holloman AFB, NM | 179 mi south-southeast | 24,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSX Flagstaff, AZ | 208 mi west-southwest | 31,200 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 San Mateo
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of San Mateo. The strongest was an EF0 on May 30, 2019, which touched down about 23 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 14 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on June 3, 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 San Mateo'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.
San Mateo radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to San Mateo, NM?
KABX (Albuquerque, NM), about 48 miles east-southeast. KHDX (Holloman AFB, NM) is 179 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in San Mateo?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over San Mateo the lowest scan from KABX is about 3,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for San Mateo 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 San Mateo, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Grants, NM radar 16 mi
- Milan, NM radar 17 mi
- Rio Rancho, NM radar 54 mi
- Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM radar 58 mi
- Corrales, NM radar 58 mi
- Albuquerque, NM radar 59 mi
- Los Lunas, NM radar 61 mi
- Bernalillo, NM radar 62 mi
- Belen, NM radar 62 mi