Vernal, UT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Vernal, Uintah County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Vernal?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 28 days in the Eastern Uinta Basin forecast zone and Uintah County — the most common reported hazard around Vernal, mostly in December and January. Next come high winds (24 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 28 | Dec 2022 | — |
| High winds | 24 | May 2026 | Oct 10, 1997 · $30,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 20 | Sep 2025 | Aug 30, 1999 · $30,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 10 | Aug 2014 | Aug 7, 2008 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Wildfires | 9 | Apr 2024 | Jun 29, 2007 · 3 deaths · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 8 | Aug 2021 | Aug 1, 2021 · $50,000 damage |
| Avalanches | 3 | Apr 2024 | — |
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 Eastern Uinta Basin forecast zone and Uintah County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Vernal get?
A normal year brings about 20 inches of snow to Vernal, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Vernal weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (6.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 1.6 | 6.4 | 5.8 | 3.9 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 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 Vernal?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGJX (Grand Junction, CO), about 119 miles southeast. 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 Vernal | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGJX Grand Junction, CO | 119 mi southeast | 12,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMTX Salt Lake City, UT | 162 mi west-northwest | 20,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRIW Riverton, WY | 189 mi north-northeast | 26,500 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 Vernal
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 7 tornadoes within 25 miles of Vernal. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F1 on September 3, 1999, which passed about 3 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 16, 2015, which touched down about 25 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 21 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on September 17, 2013.
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 Vernal'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.
Vernal radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Vernal, UT?
KGJX (Grand Junction, CO), about 119 miles southeast. KMTX (Salt Lake City, UT) is 162 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Vernal?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Vernal the lowest scan from KGJX is about 12,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Vernal 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 Vernal, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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