Needham, IN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Needham, Johnson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Needham?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 116 days in the Johnson forecast zone and Johnson County — the most common reported hazard around Needham, mostly in June and May. Next come flooding (34 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (33 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 116 | Jun 2026 | Jun 26, 2008 · 3 deaths · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 34 | Mar 2026 | Jan 22, 1999 · $1.7 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 33 | Jan 2026 | Dec 22, 2004 · $50,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 24 | Jun 2026 | May 18, 2000 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Apr 2025 | Jun 7, 2008 · $180 million damage |
| High winds | 8 | Sep 2024 | Mar 26, 2021 · $50,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 3 | Aug 2023 | — |
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 Johnson forecast zone and Johnson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Needham get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Needham, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Franklin Wwtp weather station 5.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (6.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.2 | 3.8 | 6.3 | 4.2 | 2.2 | 0.1 | 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 Needham?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIND (Indianapolis, IN), about 20 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 Needham | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 20 mi northwest | 1,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLVX Louisville, KY | 108 mi south | 10,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 115 mi east | 11,900 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 Needham
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 138 tornadoes within 25 miles of Needham, 55 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 14, 1972, which passed about 17 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF2 on March 19, 2025, which passed about 25 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 447 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 32 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.40-inch hail on June 18, 2021.
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 Needham'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.
Needham radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Needham, IN?
KIND (Indianapolis, IN), about 20 miles northwest. KLVX (Louisville, KY) is 108 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Needham?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Needham the lowest scan from KIND is about 1,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Needham 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 Needham, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Franklin, IN radar 5 mi
- Whiteland, IN radar 6 mi
- New Whiteland, IN radar 7 mi
- Greenwood, IN radar 9 mi
- Shelbyville, IN radar 10 mi
- Southport, IN radar 12 mi
- Bargersville, IN radar 12 mi
- Edinburgh, IN radar 12 mi
- Trafalgar, IN radar 13 mi
- Beech Grove, IN radar 14 mi