Welch, TX Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Welch, Dawson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Welch?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 55 days in the Dawson forecast zone and Dawson County — the most common reported hazard around Welch, mostly in June and May. Next come flash flooding (46 days) and high winds (21 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 55 | Nov 2025 | Jun 26, 2021 · $10 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 46 | Jun 2026 | Jun 26, 2021 · $10 million damage |
| High winds | 21 | Apr 2025 | Sep 1, 2010 · $20,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 12 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Nov 2015 | Jan 19, 2007 · $30,000 damage |
| Flooding | 1 | Oct 2004 | Oct 1, 2004 · $350,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 1 | Feb 2011 | — |
| Blizzards | 1 | Dec 2015 | — |
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 Dawson forecast zone and Dawson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Welch?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLBB (Lubbock, TX), about 53 miles north-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 Welch | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLBB Lubbock, TX | 53 mi north-northeast | 3,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMAF Midland/Odessa, TX | 69 mi south | 5,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KSJT San Angelo, TX | 144 mi southeast | 17,000 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 Welch
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 82 tornadoes within 25 miles of Welch, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F2 on June 8, 1965, which passed about 2 miles south of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 29, 2025, which passed about 7 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 313 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 70 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 4, 1995.
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 Welch'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.
Welch radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Welch, TX?
KLBB (Lubbock, TX), about 53 miles north-northeast. KMAF (Midland/Odessa, TX) is 69 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Welch?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Welch the lowest scan from KLBB is about 3,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Welch 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 Welch, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Lamesa, TX radar 17 mi
- Brownfield, TX radar 19 mi
- Tahoka, TX radar 25 mi
- Seagraves, TX radar 26 mi
- Seminole, TX radar 34 mi
- Wolfforth, TX radar 40 mi
- Denver City, TX radar 41 mi
- Sundown, TX radar 42 mi
- Plains, TX radar 44 mi
- Slaton, TX radar 45 mi