Tucumcari, NM Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Tucumcari, Quay County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Tucumcari?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 110 days in the Quay County forecast zone and Quay County — the most common reported hazard around Tucumcari, mostly in June and July. Next come high winds (50 days) and flash flooding (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 110 | Jun 2026 | Jun 16, 2012 · $5.0 million damage |
| High winds | 50 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 19 | May 2023 | May 25, 2023 · $500,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 4 | May 2026 | Mar 27, 2026 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 3 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 2 | Jan 2024 | Oct 28, 2020 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Jun 2022 | — |
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 Quay County forecast zone and Quay County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Tucumcari get?
A normal year brings about 15 inches of snow to Tucumcari, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Tucumcari 4 Ne weather station 2.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (4.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 2.2 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 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 Tucumcari?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFDX (Cannon AFB, NM), about 37 miles south. 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 Tucumcari | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFDX Cannon AFB, NM | 37 mi south | 2,400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KAMA Amarillo, TX | 113 mi east | 11,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLBB Lubbock, TX | 150 mi southeast | 18,200 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 Tucumcari
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 31 tornadoes within 25 miles of Tucumcari, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F2 on June 18, 1968, which touched down about 19 miles northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 30, 2021, which touched down about 25 miles east of town.
Hail: 134 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on May 25, 2023.
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 Tucumcari'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.
Tucumcari radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Tucumcari, NM?
KFDX (Cannon AFB, NM), about 37 miles south. KAMA (Amarillo, TX) is 113 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Tucumcari?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Tucumcari the lowest scan from KFDX is about 2,400 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Tucumcari 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 Tucumcari, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Santa Rosa, NM radar 57 mi
- Clovis, NM radar 58 mi