Dawson, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dawson, Richardson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dawson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 63 days in the Richardson forecast zone and Richardson County — the most common reported hazard around Dawson, mostly in June and May. Next come flooding (57 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (43 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 63 | May 2026 | Oct 30, 2024 · $1.5 million damage |
| Flooding | 57 | Jun 2026 | Jun 11, 2010 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 43 | Feb 2025 | Oct 22, 1996 · $830,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 27 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 24 | Feb 2025 | — |
| High winds | 19 | Mar 2026 | Apr 18, 2002 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 8 | Jun 2026 | Jun 15, 2009 · $10,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 5 | 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 Richardson forecast zone and Richardson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Dawson get?
A normal year brings about 24 inches of snow to Dawson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Salem 5Sw weather station 7.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.6 | 5.8 | 5.8 | 8.6 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 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 Dawson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 81 miles south-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 Dawson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 81 mi south-southwest | 7,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 87 mi north-northwest | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 124 mi southeast | 13,400 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 Dawson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 110 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dawson, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on April 28, 1963, which passed about 17 miles north of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 19, 2025, which touched down about 11 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 392 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 49 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 12, 2023.
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 Dawson'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.
Dawson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dawson, NE?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 81 miles south-southwest. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 87 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dawson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dawson the lowest scan from KTWX is about 7,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Dawson 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 Dawson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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