Benkelman, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Benkelman, Dundy County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Benkelman?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 99 days in the Dundy forecast zone and Dundy County — the most common reported hazard around Benkelman, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (59 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (41 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 99 | Jun 2026 | Apr 24, 2008 · $76,000 damage |
| High winds | 59 | Mar 2026 | Dec 17, 2025 · $20,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 41 | Mar 2024 | — |
| Blizzards | 18 | Mar 2025 | Apr 14, 2011 · $160,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Jan 2024 | Jan 13, 2024 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 11 | May 2023 | Jul 23, 2020 · $100,000 damage |
| Dust storms | 7 | Jun 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 5 | Jun 2024 | Jul 23, 2020 · $100,000 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 Dundy forecast zone and Dundy County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Benkelman get?
A normal year brings about 28 inches of snow to Benkelman, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Benkelman 1N weather station 1.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (5.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 | 2.6 | 4.8 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Benkelman?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGLD (Goodland, KS), about 48 miles south. 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 Benkelman | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGLD Goodland, KS | 48 mi south | 3,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 141 mi north-northeast | 16,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFTG Denver/Boulder, CO | 160 mi west | 20,200 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 Benkelman
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 96 tornadoes within 25 miles of Benkelman, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 15, 1990, which passed about 18 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 18, 2025, which touched down about 16 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 611 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 101 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 1, 1990.
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 Benkelman'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.
Benkelman radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Benkelman, NE?
KGLD (Goodland, KS), about 48 miles south. KLNX (North Platte, NE) is 141 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Benkelman?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Benkelman the lowest scan from KGLD is about 3,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Benkelman 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 Benkelman, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Imperial, NE radar 33 mi
- McCook, NE radar 50 mi
- Grant, NE radar 56 mi