Clarkson, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Clarkson, Colfax County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Clarkson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 50 days in the Colfax forecast zone and Colfax County — the most common reported hazard around Clarkson, mostly in January and February. Next come extreme cold & wind chill (48 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (47 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Jan 2024 | Apr 5, 2009 · $23,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 48 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 47 | May 2025 | May 22, 1996 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 26 | Jan 2026 | Nov 2, 1997 · $36,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 17 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 12 | Mar 2019 | Jun 11, 2010 · $1.5 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 12 | May 2024 | Mar 13, 2019 · $170,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 7 | Mar 2025 | — |
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 Colfax forecast zone and Colfax County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Clarkson get?
A normal year brings about 24 inches of snow to Clarkson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Howells weather station 6.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 2.3 | 4.2 | 5.2 | 6.5 | 3.1 | 1.7 | 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 Clarkson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 48 miles 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 Clarkson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 48 mi southeast | 3,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 119 mi southwest | 12,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 130 mi north | 14,500 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 Clarkson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 128 tornadoes within 25 miles of Clarkson, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 30, 1954, which passed about 22 miles northwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 19, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 426 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 58 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on May 5, 1964.
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 Clarkson'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.
Clarkson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Clarkson, NE?
KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 48 miles southeast. KUEX (Hastings, NE) is 119 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Clarkson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Clarkson the lowest scan from KOAX is about 3,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Clarkson 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 Clarkson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Stanton, NE radar 16 mi
- Madison, NE radar 19 mi
- Schuyler, NE radar 19 mi
- Wisner, NE radar 21 mi
- West Point, NE radar 23 mi
- Columbus, NE radar 23 mi
- North Bend, NE radar 25 mi
- Norfolk, NE radar 26 mi
- Battle Creek, NE radar 31 mi
- David City, NE radar 32 mi