Union Star, MO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Union Star, DeKalb County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Union Star?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 46 days in the De Kalb forecast zone and DeKalb County — the most common reported hazard around Union Star, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (30 days) and excessive heat (15 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 46 | Mar 2025 | Apr 2, 2010 · $5,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 30 | Jan 2026 | Apr 10, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 15 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Jun 2021 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Feb 2019 | Dec 10, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 4 | Nov 2018 | — |
| High winds | 4 | Dec 2021 | — |
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 De Kalb forecast zone and DeKalb County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Union Star get?
A normal year brings about 18 inches of snow to Union Star, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the King City weather station 6.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (5.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.2 | 5.0 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 3.0 | 0.5 | 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 Union Star?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 83 miles south-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 Union Star | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 83 mi south-southeast | 7,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 110 mi southwest | 11,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 129 mi north-northeast | 14,300 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 Union Star
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 88 tornadoes within 25 miles of Union Star, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 29, 2004, which passed about 20 miles east-southeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 19, 2025, which passed about 22 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 326 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 35 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on September 21, 1993.
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 Union Star'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.
Union Star radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Union Star, MO?
KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 83 miles south-southeast. KTWX (Topeka, KS) is 110 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Union Star?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Union Star the lowest scan from KEAX is about 7,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Union Star 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 Union Star, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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