Clay Center, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Clay Center, Clay County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Clay Center?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 91 days in the Clay forecast zone and Clay County — the most common reported hazard around Clay Center, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (59 days) and high winds (35 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 91 | Aug 2025 | Jul 9, 2021 · $20 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 59 | Jan 2024 | Dec 10, 2007 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 35 | Mar 2026 | Dec 25, 2016 · $1.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 13 | Mar 2025 | Nov 28, 2005 · $25,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 8 | Aug 2020 | Jun 12, 2004 · $1.1 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Nov 2020 | Dec 30, 2006 · $2.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 5 | May 2019 | Jun 4, 2015 · $3.3 million 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 Clay forecast zone and Clay County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Clay Center get?
A normal year brings about 19 inches of snow to Clay Center, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Clay Ctr weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (5.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 1.5 | 3.3 | 4.5 | 5.9 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 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 Clay Center?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 25 miles 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 Clay Center | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 25 mi southwest | 1,400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 104 mi east-northeast | 10,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 143 mi southeast | 16,900 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 Clay Center
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 187 tornadoes within 25 miles of Clay Center, 35 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F5 on May 5, 1964, which passed about 13 miles northwest of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 18, 2025, which passed about 21 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 706 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 88 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 7.00-inch hail on June 22, 2003.
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 Clay Center'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.
Clay Center radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Clay Center, NE?
KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 25 miles southwest. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Clay Center?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Clay Center the lowest scan from KUEX is about 1,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Clay Center 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 Clay Center, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Sutton, NE radar 12 mi
- Hastings, NE radar 18 mi
- Henderson, NE radar 22 mi
- Aurora, NE radar 24 mi
- Geneva, NE radar 24 mi
- Grand Island, NE radar 32 mi
- York, NE radar 34 mi
- Superior, NE radar 35 mi
- Hebron, NE radar 35 mi
- Wood River, NE radar 35 mi