Atkinson, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Atkinson, Holt County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Atkinson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 91 days in the Holt forecast zone and Holt County — the most common reported hazard around Atkinson, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (53 days) and high winds (21 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 91 | Jun 2026 | May 30, 2011 · $1.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 53 | Mar 2024 | Apr 9, 2013 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 21 | Dec 2025 | Apr 25, 1996 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 18 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 13 | Dec 2023 | Nov 27, 2005 · $5.4 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 13 | Jun 2024 | Jul 19, 1999 · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 5 | Mar 2019 | Mar 13, 2019 · $250,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Feb 2011 | — |
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 Atkinson get?
A normal year brings about 33 inches of snow to Atkinson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Atkinson 3Sw weather station 3.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | 4.0 | 6.2 | 5.5 | 6.7 | 5.1 | 4.1 | 0.2 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Atkinson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLNX (North Platte, NE), about 91 miles west-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 Atkinson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 91 mi west-southwest | 8,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 135 mi east-northeast | 15,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 155 mi south | 19,200 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 Atkinson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 63 tornadoes within 25 miles of Atkinson, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F3 on May 8, 1965, which crossed near town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 10, 2016, which touched down near town.
Hail: 342 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 50 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on June 8, 2020.
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 Atkinson'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.
Atkinson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Atkinson, NE?
KLNX (North Platte, NE), about 91 miles west-southwest. KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD) is 135 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Atkinson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Atkinson the lowest scan from KLNX is about 8,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Atkinson 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 Atkinson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- O'Neill, NE radar 17 mi
- Ainsworth, NE radar 45 mi
- Burwell, NE radar 53 mi
- Creighton, NE radar 55 mi
- Neligh, NE radar 56 mi
- Plainview, NE radar 62 mi