Barstow, TX Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Barstow, Ward County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Barstow?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 42 days in the Ward forecast zone and Ward County — the most common reported hazard around Barstow, mostly in June and May. Next come flash flooding (16 days) and high winds (9 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 42 | Jun 2026 | Jun 26, 2021 · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Jun 2026 | Sep 26, 2004 · $25,000 damage |
| High winds | 9 | Mar 2026 | Jan 17, 1996 · $10,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 4 | Feb 2021 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | May 2005 | May 26, 2005 · $35,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Jan 2015 | — |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Aug 2019 | — |
| Dust storms | 1 | May 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 Ward forecast zone and Ward County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Barstow?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMAF (Midland/Odessa, TX), about 78 miles east-northeast. 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 Barstow | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMAF Midland/Odessa, TX | 78 mi east-northeast | 6,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KSJT San Angelo, TX | 171 mi east | 22,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLBB Lubbock, TX | 177 mi north-northeast | 23,900 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 Barstow
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 36 tornadoes within 25 miles of Barstow, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F2 on April 26, 1974, which touched down about 6 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on March 13, 2020, which passed about 21 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 173 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 34 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 6.00-inch hail on May 10, 1991.
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 Barstow'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.
Barstow radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Barstow, TX?
KMAF (Midland/Odessa, TX), about 78 miles east-northeast. KSJT (San Angelo, TX) is 171 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Barstow?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Barstow the lowest scan from KMAF is about 6,700 ft up — fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation.
Is TALON's radar for Barstow 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 Barstow, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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