Cotulla, TX Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cotulla, La Salle County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cotulla?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged dangerous heat on 57 days in the La Salle forecast zone and La Salle County — the most common reported hazard around Cotulla, mostly in June and July. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (32 days) and flash flooding (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive heat | 57 | Jun 2024 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 32 | May 2025 | May 7, 2007 · $25,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 20 | Aug 2022 | Sep 27, 2017 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Wildfires | 9 | Jun 2022 | — |
| Flooding | 7 | Aug 2022 | Oct 17, 2013 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 4 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 3 | Feb 2021 | — |
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 La Salle forecast zone and La Salle County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Cotulla?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDFX (Laughlin AFB, TX), about 86 miles northwest. 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 Cotulla | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDFX Laughlin AFB, TX | 86 mi northwest | 7,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KEWX San Antonio, TX | 114 mi northeast | 11,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCRP Corpus Christi, TX | 114 mi east-southeast | 11,800 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 Cotulla
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 15 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cotulla, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and August. The strongest was an F2 on November 26, 1968, which passed about 13 miles north of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 15, 2023, which touched down about 17 miles north of town.
Hail: 68 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on April 18, 1959.
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 Cotulla'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.
Cotulla radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cotulla, TX?
KDFX (Laughlin AFB, TX), about 86 miles northwest. KEWX (San Antonio, TX) is 114 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Cotulla?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Cotulla the lowest scan from KDFX is about 7,600 ft up — fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation.
Is TALON's radar for Cotulla 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 Cotulla, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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