Big Lake, MO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Big Lake, Holt County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Big Lake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 41 days in the Holt forecast zone and Holt County — the most common reported hazard around Big Lake, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (26 days) and excessive heat (15 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 41 | May 2026 | Jul 23, 1997 · $250,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 26 | Feb 2025 | Apr 10, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 15 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Jun 2021 | Mar 20, 2019 · $200,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 6 | Jun 2019 | Mar 9, 2019 · $200,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 2008 | Dec 10, 2007 · $750,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 4 | Nov 2018 | — |
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 Holt forecast zone and Holt County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Big Lake get?
A normal year brings about 22 inches of snow to Big Lake, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rulo 2W weather station 6.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 1.0 | 5.4 | 7.4 | 5.7 | 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 Big Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 88 miles south-southwest. 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 Big Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 88 mi south-southwest | 7,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 101 mi north-northwest | 9,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 105 mi southeast | 10,300 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 Big Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 104 tornadoes within 25 miles of Big Lake, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F3 on May 5, 1950, which passed about 18 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 28, 2024, which touched down about 18 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 322 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 45 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 29, 1992.
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 Big Lake'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.
Big Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Big Lake, MO?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 88 miles south-southwest. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 101 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Big Lake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Big Lake the lowest scan from KTWX is about 7,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Big Lake 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 Big Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Rock Port, MO radar 25 mi
- Tarkio, MO radar 26 mi
- Savannah, MO radar 29 mi
- Maryville, MO radar 31 mi
- Country Club, MO radar 32 mi
- St. Joseph, MO radar 35 mi
- Stanberry, MO radar 44 mi
- Gower, MO radar 51 mi
- Weston, MO radar 52 mi