Crab Orchard, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Crab Orchard, Johnson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Crab Orchard?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 48 days in the Johnson forecast zone and Johnson County — the most common reported hazard around Crab Orchard, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (44 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 48 | May 2026 | Jul 20, 2000 · $520,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 44 | Feb 2025 | Oct 22, 1996 · $550,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 27 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Excessive heat | 25 | Jul 2025 | — |
| High winds | 15 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 9 | May 2026 | May 23, 1996 · $2.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 7 | Mar 2025 | Nov 25, 2018 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2017 | — |
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 Johnson forecast zone and Johnson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Crab Orchard get?
A normal year brings about 21 inches of snow to Crab Orchard, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Virginia weather station 7.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (6.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 1.8 | 3.7 | 6.1 | 4.9 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 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 Crab Orchard?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 68 miles north. 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 Crab Orchard | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 68 mi north | 5,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 93 mi south | 8,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 106 mi west | 10,600 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 Crab Orchard
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 118 tornadoes within 25 miles of Crab Orchard, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 22, 2004, which passed about 22 miles north-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 15, 2024, which touched down about 16 miles east of town.
Hail: 381 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 49 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on June 11, 2022.
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 Crab Orchard'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.
Crab Orchard radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Crab Orchard, NE?
KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 68 miles north. KTWX (Topeka, KS) is 93 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Crab Orchard?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Crab Orchard the lowest scan from KOAX is about 5,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Crab Orchard 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 Crab Orchard, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Tecumseh, NE radar 13 mi
- Beatrice, NE radar 18 mi
- Wymore, NE radar 19 mi
- Hickman, NE radar 23 mi
- Bennet, NE radar 24 mi
- Syracuse, NE radar 26 mi
- Wilber, NE radar 30 mi
- Auburn, NE radar 31 mi
- Eagle, NE radar 33 mi
- Crete, NE radar 34 mi