Preston, MO Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Preston, Hickory County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for PrestonWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Preston?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 77 days in the Hickory forecast zone and Hickory County — the most common reported hazard around Preston, mostly in June and May. Next come flash flooding (41 days) and flooding (36 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds77Aug 2025May 20, 2019 · $3.0 million damage
Flash flooding41Jun 2024Jul 1, 2015 · $10,000 damage
Flooding36May 2026May 29, 2015 · $45,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms26Jan 2026Nov 30, 2006 · $15 million damage
Excessive heat9Aug 2012—
Ice storms & sleet8Jan 2017Jan 12, 2007 · $500,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill5Feb 2025—
Wildfires5Mar 2025Jul 18, 2012 · $50,000 damage

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 Hickory forecast zone and Hickory County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Preston?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KSGF (Springfield, MO), about 50 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over PrestonView
KSGF
Springfield, MO		50 mi south-southwest3,500 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KEAX
Kansas City, MO		83 mi northwest7,200 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KLSX
St. Louis, MO		147 mi east-northeast17,500 ftLimited — 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 Preston

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 71 tornadoes within 25 miles of Preston, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and March. The strongest was an F3 on May 4, 2003, which passed about 12 miles south of town and caused 5 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on December 14, 2024, which touched down about 24 miles north-northeast of town.

Hail: 369 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 33 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on April 1, 2024.

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 Preston'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.

Preston radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Preston, MO?

KSGF (Springfield, MO), about 50 miles south-southwest. KEAX (Kansas City, MO) is 83 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Preston?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Preston the lowest scan from KSGF is about 3,500 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Preston 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 Preston, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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