Culbertson, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Culbertson, Hitchcock County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Culbertson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 72 days in the Hitchcock forecast zone and Hitchcock County — the most common reported hazard around Culbertson, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (54 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (37 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 72 | Feb 2026 | Aug 7, 2015 · 1 death · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 54 | Mar 2026 | Apr 7, 2022 · $7,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 37 | Dec 2023 | — |
| Blizzards | 18 | Mar 2025 | Apr 14, 2011 · $40,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 13 | Jun 2026 | May 26, 2023 · $252,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Dust storms | 9 | Jun 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | 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 Hitchcock forecast zone and Hitchcock County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Culbertson get?
A normal year brings about 27 inches of snow to Culbertson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Culbertson weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (5.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 4.1 | 5.1 | 3.8 | 2.7 | 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 Culbertson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGLD (Goodland, KS), about 75 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 Culbertson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGLD Goodland, KS | 75 mi southwest | 6,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 121 mi north | 12,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 127 mi east | 13,800 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 Culbertson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 97 tornadoes within 25 miles of Culbertson, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 15, 1990, which crossed near town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 18, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 611 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 110 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 21, 1998.
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 Culbertson'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.
Culbertson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Culbertson, NE?
KGLD (Goodland, KS), about 75 miles southwest. KLNX (North Platte, NE) is 121 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Culbertson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Culbertson the lowest scan from KGLD is about 6,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Culbertson 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 Culbertson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- McCook, NE radar 12 mi
- Cambridge, NE radar 36 mi
- Imperial, NE radar 47 mi
- Gothenburg, NE radar 60 mi