Socorro, NM Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Socorro, Socorro County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Socorro?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 43 days in the Lower Rio Grande Valley forecast zone and Socorro County — the most common reported hazard around Socorro, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (41 days) and high winds (23 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 43 | Sep 2025 | Jul 30, 1997 · $60,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 41 | Oct 2025 | Jul 6, 2021 · $750,000 damage |
| High winds | 23 | Apr 2026 | Apr 22, 2022 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 5 | Jan 2023 | — |
| Wildfires | 3 | Apr 2025 | Apr 22, 2022 · $500,000 damage |
| Dust storms | 2 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Jul 2017 | Jul 15, 2017 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 2 | Sep 2013 | Sep 10, 2013 · $1.2 million 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 Lower Rio Grande Valley forecast zone and Socorro County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Socorro?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABX (Albuquerque, NM), about 76 miles north. 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 Socorro | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABX Albuquerque, NM | 76 mi north | 6,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KHDX Holloman AFB, NM | 81 mi southeast | 7,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KEPZ El Paso, TX | 151 mi south | 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 Socorro
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 6 tornadoes within 25 miles of Socorro. Most came in May and August. The strongest was an F1 on August 2, 1950, which passed about 19 miles west-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 31, 2021, which touched down about 23 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 21 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on October 5, 2004.
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 Socorro'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.
Socorro radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Socorro, NM?
KABX (Albuquerque, NM), about 76 miles north. KHDX (Holloman AFB, NM) is 81 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Socorro?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Socorro the lowest scan from KABX is about 6,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Socorro 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 Socorro, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Rio Communities, NM radar 42 mi
- Belen, NM radar 50 mi
- Los Lunas, NM radar 52 mi
- Peralta, NM radar 55 mi
- Bosque Farms, NM radar 56 mi
- Truth or Consequences, NM radar 60 mi