Alma, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Alma, Harlan County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Alma?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 48 days in the Harlan forecast zone and Harlan County — the most common reported hazard around Alma, mostly in February and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (48 days) and high winds (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 48 | Dec 2023 | Dec 10, 2007 · $100,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 48 | Aug 2025 | Jun 14, 2014 · $7.0 million damage |
| High winds | 32 | Mar 2026 | Dec 25, 2016 · $1.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 12 | Mar 2025 | Nov 27, 2005 · $250,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Feb 2025 | Jun 4, 1998 · $5,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 8 | Aug 2021 | Aug 22, 2021 · $3.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Jan 2017 | Dec 29, 2006 · $1.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 2 | 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 Harlan forecast zone and Harlan County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Alma get?
A normal year brings about 27 inches of snow to Alma, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Orleans 2 W weather station 6.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 | 3.5 | 4.7 | 6.2 | 7.2 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 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 Alma?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 51 miles east-northeast. 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 Alma | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 51 mi east-northeast | 3,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGLD Goodland, KS | 134 mi west-southwest | 15,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 143 mi north-northwest | 16,800 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 Alma
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 120 tornadoes within 25 miles of Alma, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 10, 1985, which passed about 12 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 1, 2024, which touched down about 24 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 560 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 79 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 31, 1980.
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 Alma'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.
Alma radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Alma, NE?
KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 51 miles east-northeast. KGLD (Goodland, KS) is 134 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Alma?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Alma the lowest scan from KUEX is about 3,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Alma 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 Alma, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Holdrege, NE radar 23 mi
- Minden, NE radar 34 mi
- Kearney, NE radar 44 mi
- Cambridge, NE radar 44 mi
- Lexington, NE radar 51 mi
- Gibbon, NE radar 52 mi
- Shelton, NE radar 57 mi
- Hastings, NE radar 62 mi
- Cozad, NE radar 62 mi